Shloka 30

Matsya Purana — Manvantaras

Devanagari script

धर्मज्ञैर्विहितो धर्मः श्रौतस्मार्तो द्विजातिभिः दाराग्निहोत्रसम्बन्धम् इज्या श्रौतस्य लक्षणम् //

Transliteration

dharmajñairvihito dharmaḥ śrautasmārto dvijātibhiḥ dārāgnihotrasambandham ijyā śrautasya lakṣaṇam //

Translation

The dharma prescribed by those who know dharma—taught for the twice-born—is of two kinds: Śrauta and Smārta. Worship (ijyā) that is bound up with one’s wife and the maintaining of the sacred fires (agnihotra) is the defining mark of Śrauta practice.

Word by Word

• धर्मज्ञैः: by knowers of dharma

• विहितः: prescribed/ordained

• धर्मः: religious duty/law

• श्रौतस्मार्तः: consisting of Śrauta and Smārta (Vedic-ritual and tradition-based)

• द्विजातिभिः: by/for the twice-born (brāhmaṇa, kṣatriya, vaiśya)

• दारा: wife

• अग्निहोत्र: the agnihotra rite / maintenance of sacred fires

• सम्बन्धम्: connection/association

• इज्या: worship, sacrificial performance

• श्रौतस्य: of Śrauta (Vedic injunction-based) practice

• लक्षणम्: characteristic/defining sign.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, within a dharma-śāstra style discourse)

Entities Mentioned

• Dvijas (twice-born)
• Agnihotra
• Dharmajñas (knowers of dharma)

Tags

• Dharma
• Śrauta
• Smārta
• Agnihotra
• Gṛhastha

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya; it defines categories of dharma (Śrauta and Smārta) and identifies Śrauta worship by its link to the householder’s sacred fires and marital household order.

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

It frames orthodox practice for dvijas: for householders, maintaining the agnihotra fires and performing Vedic rites with the wife as ritual partner is presented as a hallmark of Śrauta duty—an ethical-religious standard that rulers also uphold by supporting and protecting such rites.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual takeaway is central: Śrauta worship is characterized by agnihotra-based fire-rituals performed within the gṛhastha framework (including the wife’s participation), distinguishing it from Smārta observances grounded more in smṛti tradition and domestic rites.