Shloka 23

Matsya Purana — Intermediate Dissolution

Devanagari script

दानधर्मविधिं चैव श्राद्धकल्पं च शाश्वतम् वर्णाश्रमविभागं च तथेष्टापूर्तसंज्ञितम् //

Transliteration

dānadharmavidhiṃ caiva śrāddhakalpaṃ ca śāśvatam varṇāśramavibhāgaṃ ca tatheṣṭāpūrtasaṃjñitam //

Translation

And also (it teaches) the proper rule and procedure of charitable giving, the enduring ordinance of the śrāddha rites (for ancestors), the classification of the social orders and life-stages (varṇa and āśrama), and likewise what is known as iṣṭa and pūrta (meritorious acts of sacrifice and public benefaction).

Word by Word

• दान (dāna): charitable giving

• धर्मविधिम् (dharma-vidhim): rule/procedure of dharma

• च एव (ca eva): and indeed/also

• श्राद्धकल्पम् (śrāddha-kalpam): the prescribed method/ritual code for śrāddha

• च (ca): and

• शाश्वतम् (śāśvatam): eternal/enduring

• वर्णाश्रमविभागम् (varṇāśrama-vibhāgam): division/classification of varṇas and āśramas

• च (ca): and

• तथा (tathā): likewise

• इष्टापूर्तसंज्ञितम् (iṣṭāpūrta-saṃjñitam): that which is termed iṣṭa and pūrta (ritual sacrifices and works of public welfare).

Speaker

• Suta (narrating the Matsya Purana’s scope; within the broader dialogue tradition associated with Lord Matsya and Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Śrāddha
• Varṇa
• Āśrama
• Iṣṭa
• Pūrta
• Dāna

Tags

• Dharma
• Dāna
• Śrāddha
• Varṇāśrama
• Ritual

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it is a topical summary emphasizing dharma—charity, śrāddha rites, varṇāśrama organization, and meritorious works (iṣṭa–pūrta).

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

It frames core obligations: practicing dāna (regulated charity), performing śrāddha for ancestors, upholding varṇāśrama-based responsibilities, and supporting iṣṭa–pūrta—both sacrificial worship and public-benefit works that a householder funds and a king institutionalizes.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it highlights śrāddha-kalpa (formalized ancestor-rite procedure). Architecturally/charitably, pūrta implies public works (such as wells, tanks, rest-houses, temples), linking dharma to community infrastructure—an idea later expanded in Matsya Purana’s vastu and temple-related sections.