Shloka 21

Matsya Purana — Manvantaras

Devanagari script

सामान्येषु च धर्मेषु तथा वैशिषिकेषु च ब्रह्मक्षत्रविशो युक्ताः श्रौतस्मार्तेन कर्मणा //

Transliteration

sāmānyeṣu ca dharmeṣu tathā vaiśiṣikeṣu ca brahmakṣatraviśo yuktāḥ śrautasmārtena karmaṇā //

Translation

In duties that are common (to all) and in those that are specific (to each class) as well, the Brāhmaṇa, Kṣatriya, and Vaiśya are to be properly engaged in actions prescribed by Śruti and Smṛti.

Word by Word

• sāmānyeṣu: in common (universal) [duties]

• ca: and

• dharmeṣu: in dharmas/duties

• tathā: likewise

• vaiśiṣikeṣu: in specific/special (class-dependent) [duties]

• ca: and

• brahma-kṣatra-viśaḥ: Brāhmaṇas, Kṣatriyas, and Vaiśyas

• yuktāḥ: properly joined/engaged/appointed

• śrauta-smārtena: according to Śruti (Vedic injunction) and Smṛti (dharmic tradition)

• karmaṇā: by acts/ritual and prescribed conduct

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Brāhmaṇa
• Kṣatriya
• Vaiśya
• Śruti
• Smṛti

Tags

• Dharma
• Varṇāśrama
• Śrauta
• Smārta
• Ritual

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it outlines dharma—how social classes should follow both universal duties and class-specific duties grounded in Śruti and Smṛti.

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

It frames governance and household life as Śrauta-Smārta regulated: a Kṣatriya king and other twice-born householders should uphold universal virtues while also performing their prescribed Vedic and Smṛti-based obligations.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual takeaway is explicit: conduct should be “śrauta-smārta,” i.e., aligned with Vedic rites (Śrauta) and Smṛti-based domestic/ethical observances (Smārta), which also underpins later temple and ritual procedures in Purāṇic practice.