Shloka 42

Matsya Purana — Manvantaras

Devanagari script

ब्रह्मचर्यं तपो मौनं निराहारत्वमेव च इत्येतत्तपसो रूपं सुघोरं तु दुरासदम् //

Transliteration

brahmacaryaṃ tapo maunaṃ nirāhāratvameva ca ityetattapaso rūpaṃ sughoraṃ tu durāsadam //

Translation

Celibacy (brahmacarya), austerity, silence (mauna), and even fasting—these are the forms of tapas; indeed, this discipline is exceedingly fierce and difficult to undertake.

Word by Word

• ब्रह्मचर्यम् (brahmacaryam): celibacy / disciplined continence

• तपः (tapaḥ): austerity, ascetic heat, penance

• मौनम् (maunam): silence, vow of silence

• निराहारत्वम् (nirāhāratvam): fasting, abstaining from food

• एव (eva): indeed, precisely

• च (ca): and

• इति (iti): thus

• एतत् (etat): this

• तपसः (tapasaḥ): of tapas / of austerity

• रूपम् (rūpam): form, nature

• सुघोरम् (sughoraṃ): very severe, formidable

• तु (tu): but/indeed (emphatic)

• दुरासदम् (durāsadam): hard to approach, difficult to practice/attain.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, within a dharma/tapas teaching context)

Tags

• Dharma
• Tapas
• Brahmacharya
• Vows
• Asceticism

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe pralaya directly; it defines intense tapas—celibacy, silence, and fasting—as a powerful spiritual discipline used for purification and attainment.

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

It frames self-control as a core dharmic tool: even rulers and householders may adopt moderated forms of brahmacarya, mauna, and regulated fasting to govern the senses, uphold vows, and strengthen ethical conduct.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No vastu or temple-construction rule is stated here; the ritual takeaway is that vows like mauna (silence) and nirāhāra (fasting) are recognized as rigorous components of tapas in Puranic practice.