Shloka 10

Matsya Purana — Glory of Prayaga: The Fruit of the Anashaka Fast and the Merit of the Yamuna

Devanagari script

व्यतीतान्पुरुषान्सप्त भविष्यांश्च चतुर्दश नरस्तारयते सर्वान् यस्तु प्राणान्परित्यजेत् //

Transliteration

vyatītānpuruṣānsapta bhaviṣyāṃśca caturdaśa narastārayate sarvān yastu prāṇānparityajet //

Translation

A man who gives up his life (for the sake of this dharma) delivers them all—seven generations of forefathers who have passed away, and fourteen generations yet to come.

Word by Word

• vyatītān: departed/past

• puruṣān: persons (male ancestors)

• sapta: seven

• bhaviṣyān: future (to be born)

• ca: and

• caturdaśa: fourteen

• naraḥ: a man

• tārayate: causes to cross over/delivers

• sarvān: all

• yaḥ tu: whoever indeed

• prāṇān: life-breaths/life

• parityajet: would abandon/give up

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, in the didactic flow of the Matsya Purana)

Entities Mentioned

• Pitṛs (ancestors)
• Nara (the performer/heroic man)

Tags

• Śrāddha
• Pitṛ-dharma
• Ancestral merit
• Dāna
• Mokṣa

FAQs

What does this verse reveal about creation or dissolution (Pralaya)?

It does not describe Pralaya directly; it teaches the trans-generational spiritual effect of a supreme act of dharma—one person’s sacrifice can ‘carry across’ ancestors and descendants.

How does this verse relate to the duties of a King or Householder?

It frames Pitṛ-dharma as a high duty: a householder (and by extension a king as protector of dharma) should uphold rites and ethical sacrifices that sustain family lines and benefit ancestors, emphasizing responsibility beyond one lifetime.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual (not architectural): it highlights the fruit of Śrāddha/Pitṛ-related dharma—ancestral deliverance across specified generations—often cited to stress careful performance of ancestor rites.