Shloka 58

Matsya Purana — Lineage of the Pitṛs

Devanagari script

देवार्चनविधौ विद्वान् पठन् ब्रह्माधिगच्छति एवं वदन्ती सा तत्र ददाहात्मानम् आत्मना //

Transliteration

devārcanavidhau vidvān paṭhan brahmādhigacchati evaṃ vadantī sā tatra dadāhātmānam ātmanā //

Translation

A learned man who recites (this teaching) in the proper procedure of deity-worship attains Brahman. Saying thus, she then, in that very place, burned her own self by her own power.

Word by Word

• देवार्चनविधौ: in the rite/procedure of deity-worship

• विद्वान्: a learned person

• पठन्: reciting/reading

• ब्रह्माधिगच्छति: attains Brahman/the Supreme Reality

• एवम्: thus

• वदन्ती: speaking/saying

• सा: she

• तत्र: there

• ददाह: burned/consumed

• आत्मानम्: herself/one’s own body

• आत्मना: by herself/by her own power (yogic/inner agency).

Speaker

• Narrator within the Matsya Purana dialogue framework (traditionally Sūta recounting; within Adhyaya context likely relayed to Manu as part of dharma/ritual instruction)

Entities Mentioned

• Brahman

Tags

• Devarcana
• Phala-shruti
• Dharma
• Recitation
• Yoga-tejas

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe pralaya directly; it emphasizes mokṣa-oriented ritual efficacy—recitation within proper worship leads to realization of Brahman, pointing to liberation beyond cosmic cycles.

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

It supports the householder/kingly duty of maintaining daily deity-worship (devarcana) with correct procedure and scriptural recitation, framing such disciplined practice as a legitimate path to the highest spiritual goal.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it highlights phala-śruti: correct devarcana-vidhi plus recitation yields Brahman-attainment; the closing line also alludes to inner yogic power (ātmanā) as a motif of ascetic/ritual culmination rather than temple architecture.