Shloka 18

Matsya Purana — Manvantaras

Devanagari script

उपयुक्ताः क्रियास्वेते यज्ञियास्त्विह सर्वशः यथाक्रमोपभोगाश्च देवानां पशुमूर्तयः //

Transliteration

upayuktāḥ kriyāsvete yajñiyāstviha sarvaśaḥ yathākramopabhogāśca devānāṃ paśumūrtayaḥ //

Translation

These (forms) are to be employed in their respective rites; here they are all sacrificial in character. And, in due order, the animal-forms of the gods are to be understood as their proper objects of ritual offering and enjoyment.

Word by Word

• उपयुक्ताः (upayuktāḥ): properly employed/assigned

• क्रियासु (kriyāsu): in rites/ritual actions

• एते (ete): these

• यज्ञियाः (yajñiyāḥ): fit for sacrifice/sacrificial

• तु (tu): indeed

• इह (iha): here/in this teaching

• सर्वशः (sarvaśaḥ): in every way/entirely

• यथाक्रम (yathā-krama): according to sequence/prescribed order

• उपभोगाः (upabhogāḥ): enjoyments/consumptions, i.e., ritual allotments/offerings

• च (ca): and

• देवानाम् (devānām): of the gods

• पशु-मूर्तयः (paśu-mūrtayaḥ): animal-forms (zoomorphic manifestations/associations).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Devas
• Yajna (sacrifice)

Tags

• Yajna
• Ritual order
• Iconography
• Sacrificial procedure
• Deity forms

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it focuses on how specific divine forms are to be applied within sacrificial rites and the ordered distribution of offerings.

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

It supports the dharmic duty of performing sacrifices correctly—using the appropriate forms and observing prescribed order—an obligation emphasized for householders and rulers who sponsor public rites.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it stresses correct assignment of deity-associated forms (including animal-forms) and the proper sequence of offerings (yathākramopabhoga), a principle that also guides temple worship protocols linked with iconography.