Shloka 33

Matsya Purana — Manvantaras

Devanagari script

तस्मात्स्मार्तः सूतो धर्मो वर्णाश्रमविभागशः एवं वै द्विविधो धर्मः शिष्टाचारः स उच्यते //

Transliteration

tasmātsmārtaḥ sūto dharmo varṇāśramavibhāgaśaḥ evaṃ vai dvividho dharmaḥ śiṣṭācāraḥ sa ucyate //

Translation

Therefore, the Smārta (scripture-based) dharma is taught as being apportioned according to the divisions of varṇa and āśrama. Thus, dharma is indeed of two kinds; the second is called the conduct (ācāra) of the cultured and disciplined (śiṣṭas).

Word by Word

• tasmāt: therefore

• smārtaḥ: based on Smṛti / traditional law-texts

• sūtaḥ: declared/propounded (as a settled teaching)

• dharmaḥ: sacred duty, law, righteous order

• varṇa: social class/order

• āśrama: life-stage (student, householder, forest-dweller, renunciant)

• vibhāgaśaḥ: by way of division/according to categories

• evaṁ: thus

• vai: indeed

• dvividhaḥ: twofold

• dharmaḥ: dharma

• śiṣṭa-ācāraḥ: the established conduct of the learned/virtuous

• sa: that

• ucyate: is called.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Matsya
• Manu
• Smṛti
• Varṇa
• Āśrama
• Śiṣṭas

Tags

• Dharma
• Varṇāśrama
• Smārta
• Śiṣṭācāra
• Ethics

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it classifies dharma as (1) Smārta, regulated by varṇa and āśrama divisions, and (2) śiṣṭācāra, the exemplary conduct of the learned.

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

It grounds duties in varṇāśrama—so a householder or king should follow Smṛti-prescribed obligations appropriate to their station, and also uphold śiṣṭācāra: the recognized standards of good conduct practiced by the wise, which guides practical governance and daily ethics.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or iconographic rule appears here; the ritual takeaway is that correct practice is validated both by Smṛti injunctions and by śiṣṭācāra (accepted, exemplary custom) when applying dharma in real rites and social life.