Shloka 38

Matsya Purana — Manvantaras

Devanagari script

दानं सत्यं तपो लोको विद्येज्या पूजनं दमः अष्टौ तानि चरित्राणि शिष्टाचारस्य लक्षणम् //

Transliteration

dānaṃ satyaṃ tapo loko vidyejyā pūjanaṃ damaḥ aṣṭau tāni caritrāṇi śiṣṭācārasya lakṣaṇam //

Translation

Charity, truthfulness, austerity (tapas), proper worldly conduct, learning, ijyā—worship of the gods, reverential honoring, and self-restraint (dama)—these eight traits are the hallmarks of śiṣṭācāra, the refined conduct of the śiṣṭas.

Word by Word

• दानम् (dānam): charity, giving

• सत्यम् (satyam): truthfulness

• तपः (tapaḥ): austerity, disciplined penance

• लोकः (lokaḥ): worldly propriety, conduct in society

• विद्या (vidyā): learning, knowledge

• इज्या (ijyā): sacrificial worship, worship of deities

• पूजनम् (pūjanam): honoring, reverential worship

• दमः (damaḥ): self-control, restraint

• अष्टौ (aṣṭau): eight

• तानि (tāni): those

• चरित्राणि (caritrāṇi): practices/traits of conduct

• शिष्टाचारस्य (śiṣṭācārasya): of refined/cultured conduct

• लक्षणम् (lakṣaṇam): defining mark, characteristic.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) speaking to Vaivasvata Manu (contextual attribution within the Matsya Purana’s dharma-instruction dialogue)

Tags

• Dharma
• Sadachara
• Ethics
• Householder Duties
• Ritual Conduct

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss pralaya; it defines śiṣṭācāra (refined ethical conduct) through eight virtues that sustain social and religious order.

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

It lists core duties relevant to both: giving (dāna) and truth (satya) for public trust, self-restraint (dama) for governance and family life, and worship/learning (ijyā, vidyā) to uphold dharma in society.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it highlights ijyā and pūjana—formal worship and honoring—as pillars of correct religious practice; it does not directly address Vāstu or temple architecture in this verse.