Shloka 39

Matsya Purana — Manvantaras

Devanagari script

शिष्टा यस्माच्चरन्त्येनं मनुः सप्तर्षयश्च ह मन्वन्तरेषु सर्वेषु शिष्टाचारस्ततः स्मृतः //

Transliteration

śiṣṭā yasmāccarantyenaṃ manuḥ saptarṣayaśca ha manvantareṣu sarveṣu śiṣṭācārastataḥ smṛtaḥ //

Translation

Because cultured and exemplary people practice this, and because Manu and the Seven Sages indeed follow it in every Manvantara, it is therefore remembered as śiṣṭācāra—authoritative customary conduct.

Word by Word

• śiṣṭāḥ: the cultured/exemplary (learned, well-conducted) people

• yasmāt: because/since

• caranti: practice/observe

• enam: this (rule/way)

• manuḥ: Manu (lawgiver of mankind)

• saptarṣayaḥ: the Seven Sages (Saptarishis)

• ca: and

• ha: indeed/verily

• manvantareṣu: in (all) Manvantaras (cosmic epochs presided over by a Manu)

• sarveṣu: in all

• śiṣṭācāraḥ: the conduct/custom of the śiṣṭas (normative tradition)

• tataḥ: therefore/from that reason

• smṛtaḥ: is remembered/recognized (as authoritative).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Manu
• Saptarishis
• Manvantara
• Śiṣṭa
• Śiṣṭācāra

Tags

• Dharma
• Śiṣṭācāra
• Manvantara
• Smṛti
• Ethics

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; it emphasizes continuity of dharma across cosmic cycles (Manvantaras), implying that righteous norms persist even as ages change.

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

It defines a practical standard for duty: rulers and householders should model their conduct on śiṣṭācāra—what exemplary, learned people uphold—validated by Manu and the Saptarishis as a reliable guide when moral questions arise.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No specific Vāstu or ritual procedure is stated, but the principle supports Vāstu/ritual manuals in practice: correct temple-building or rite-performance is confirmed by śiṣṭācāra—established expert tradition—alongside scriptural injunctions.