Shloka 31

Matsya Purana — Manvantaras

Devanagari script

स्मार्तो वर्णाश्रमाचारो यमैश्च नियमैर्युतः पूर्वेभ्यो वेदयित्वेह श्रौतं सप्तर्षयो ऽब्रुवन् //

Transliteration

smārto varṇāśramācāro yamaiśca niyamairyutaḥ pūrvebhyo vedayitveha śrautaṃ saptarṣayo 'bruvan //

Translation

The Smārta code of conduct for the disciplines of varṇa and āśrama—endowed with the yamas and niyamas—having been taught here to the ancients, the Seven Sages then proclaimed the Śrauta (Vedic sacrificial) system.

Word by Word

• स्मार्तः: based on Smṛti/tradition

• वर्णाश्रम-आचारः: conduct/duties of the varṇas and āśramas

• यमैः: with restraints (yamas)

• च: and

• नियमैः: with observances (niyamas)

• युतः: endowed/associated

• पूर्वेभ्यः: to the ancients/earlier ones

• वेदयित्वा-इह: having instructed/communicated here

• श्रौतं: the Śrauta system (Vedic sacrificial tradition)

• सप्तर्षयः: the Seven Sages

• अब्रुवन्: declared/proclaimed.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu, within the Dharma instruction sequence)

Entities Mentioned

• Saptarishis
• Smarta (Smriti tradition)
• Śrauta (Vedic ritual tradition)
• Varṇāśrama
• Yama
• Niyama

Tags

• Dharma
• Varṇāśrama
• Smārta
• Śrauta
• Ritual
• Ethics

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya directly; it frames how dharma is transmitted—first Smārta varṇāśrama conduct grounded in yama-niyama, then the Śrauta sacrificial system proclaimed by the Saptarishis.

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

It prioritizes ethical self-discipline (yamas and niyamas) as the foundation of varṇāśrama duties—guiding householders in daily conduct and supporting kings in upholding social-religious order—before engaging in formal Śrauta rites.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Its ritual significance is the sequencing and authority of practice: Smārta conduct and inner discipline are taught first, and then the Śrauta sacrificial tradition—validated by the Saptarishis—is proclaimed as the formal Vedic ritual framework.