Shloka 61

Matsya Purana — Manvantaras

Devanagari script

अथर्वऋग्यजुःसाम्नां वेदेष्विह पृथक्पृथक् ऋषीणां तप्यतां तेषां तपः परमदुश्चरम् //

Transliteration

atharvaṛgyajuḥsāmnāṃ vedeṣviha pṛthakpṛthak ṛṣīṇāṃ tapyatāṃ teṣāṃ tapaḥ paramaduścaram //

Translation

Here, within the Vedas—Atharva, Ṛg, Yajus, and Sāman—each stream stands distinct. For those seers who undertook austerities, their tapas was supremely difficult to perform.

Word by Word

• atharva-ṛg-yajuḥ-sāmnām: of Atharva, Rig, Yajur, and Sāma (Vedas)

• vedeṣu: in the Vedas

• iha: here (in this teaching/context)

• pṛthak-pṛthak: separately, each in its own division

• ṛṣīṇām: of the ṛṣis/seers

• tapyatām: of those practicing austerity / engaged in tapas

• teṣām: of them

• tapaḥ: austerity, spiritual heat, disciplined practice

• parama-duścaram: extremely hard to undertake/perform

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) speaking to Vaivasvata Manu

Entities Mentioned

• Atharvaveda
• Rigveda
• Yajurveda
• Samaveda
• Rishis

Tags

• Vedas
• Tapas
• Rishis
• Dharma
• ScripturalAuthority

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; it emphasizes that Vedic knowledge is divided into distinct Vedas and that such revelation is grounded in the extraordinary tapas of the ṛṣis.

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

By affirming the Vedas as distinct authorities attained through severe tapas, it implies that royal and household dharma should be guided by Vedic injunctions (śruti) and respected as hard-won, authoritative knowledge.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or iconographic rule is stated; the ritual takeaway is that Vedic rites (yajña, mantra-prayoga) derive legitimacy from the separately preserved Vedic traditions and the ṛṣis’ disciplined realization.