Shloka 37

Matsya Purana — Manvantaras

Devanagari script

शिष्टैराचर्यते यस्मात् पुनश्चैव मनुक्षये पूर्वैःपूर्वैर्मतत्वाच्च शिष्टाचारः स शाश्वतः //

Transliteration

śiṣṭairācaryate yasmāt punaścaiva manukṣaye pūrvaiḥpūrvairmatatvācca śiṣṭācāraḥ sa śāśvataḥ //

Translation

Because it is practiced by the śiṣṭas, and because—even when a Manu’s age comes to an end—it is upheld again; and because it is approved by the ancients, generation after generation, that śiṣṭācāra, the established conduct of the learned, is eternal.

Word by Word

• शिष्टैः (śiṣṭaiḥ): by the learned, the cultured, the exemplary

• आचर्यते (ācaryate): is practiced/observed

• यस्मात् (yasmāt): because/for this reason

• पुनः (punaḥ): again

• च एव (ca eva): and indeed

• मनुक्षये (manukṣaye): at the end/decline of a Manu (Manvantara’s close)

• पूर्वैः पूर्वैः (pūrvaiḥ pūrvaiḥ): by earlier and earlier ones, by successive ancients

• मतत्वात् (matatvāt): because of being held as authoritative/approved opinion

• च (ca): and

• शिष्टाचारः (śiṣṭācāraḥ): the customary conduct of the learned/standard practice

• सः (saḥ): that

• शाश्वतः (śāśvataḥ): eternal, enduring.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, dharma-teaching context)

Entities Mentioned

• Manu
• Śiṣṭa (learned exemplars)

Tags

• Dharma
• Śiṣṭācāra
• Customary law
• Manvantara
• Ethics

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; it implies continuity across cosmic cycles by stating that śiṣṭācāra (the conduct of the learned) persists and is reaffirmed even when a Manu’s period ends.

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

It grounds dharma in living standards: rulers and householders should follow the time-tested practices of exemplary, learned people, since such conduct is treated as authoritative across generations and Manvantaras.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No specific Vāstu or ritual rule is stated; the principle is methodological—ritual and temple-building traditions gain authority when they are consistently upheld by śiṣṭas and validated by long-standing lineage practice.