Shloka 26

Matsya Purana — Manvantaras

Devanagari script

अथ देवाश्च पितर ऋषयश्चैव मानुषाः अयं धर्मो ह्ययं नेति ब्रुवते मौनमूर्तिना //

Transliteration

atha devāśca pitara ṛṣayaścaiva mānuṣāḥ ayaṃ dharmo hyayaṃ neti bruvate maunamūrtinā //

Translation

Then the gods, the ancestors (pitṛ), the seers (ṛṣi), and even human beings declare—through the very form of silence—“This indeed is Dharma; this indeed is not.”

Word by Word

• atha: then

• devāḥ: the gods

• ca: and

• pitaraḥ: the forefathers/manes

• ṛṣayaḥ: sages/seers

• ca eva: and indeed

• mānuṣāḥ: human beings

• ayam: this

• dharmaḥ: Dharma/righteous order

• hi: indeed

• ayam: this

• na iti: not (so)/not this

• bruvate: they say/declare

• mauna-mūrtinā: by/through a silent form, through silence embodied

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu, teaching the subtle discernment of Dharma)

Entities Mentioned

• Devas
• Pitṛs
• Ṛṣis
• Mānuṣas (humans)
• Dharma
• Mauna (silence)

Tags

• Dharma
• Ethics
• Moksha
• Sages
• Silence

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya directly; it teaches that Dharma is subtle and is best discerned by the consensus of higher beings (devas, pitṛs, ṛṣis) and by the contemplative clarity symbolized as “silence embodied.”

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

It implies that righteous conduct is not always obvious from debate alone; a king or householder should test actions against established sacred standards and the guidance of the wise, cultivating restraint (mauna) so that decisions reflect Dharma rather than impulse.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or temple-building rule is stated here; the ritual takeaway is the value of mauna as a discipline—silence as a marker of inner certainty and reverence when judging what is proper (dharma) and improper (adharma).