Shloka 14

Matsya Purana — Marks of Karma-yoga and the Five Great Daily Sacrifices

Devanagari script

स्वाध्यायैरर्चयेच्चर्षीन् होमैर्विद्वान्यथाविधि पितॄञ्छ्राद्धैर् अन्नदानैर् भूतानि बलिकर्मभिः //

Transliteration

svādhyāyairarcayeccarṣīn homairvidvānyathāvidhi pitṝñchrāddhair annadānair bhūtāni balikarmabhiḥ //

Translation

By Vedic self-study (svādhyāya) one should honor the seers (ṛṣis); the learned person should perform fire-offerings (homa) according to rule; one should satisfy the ancestors through śrāddha rites; and one should appease living beings through gifts of food and by the prescribed bali-offerings.

Word by Word

• svādhyāyaiḥ: by self-recitation/self-study of the Veda

• arcayet: should worship/honor

• ca: and

• ṛṣīn (carṣīn): the seers/ṛṣis

• homaiḥ: by homa/fire-offerings

• vidvān: the learned person

• yathāvidhi: according to injunction/ritual rule

• pitṝn: the ancestors (pitṛs)

• chrāddhaiḥ: by śrāddha rites

• annadānaiḥ: by gifts/donations of food

• bhūtāni: beings/creatures (including spirits and living beings)

• balikarmabhiḥ: by bali acts/offerings placed as customary shares.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Ṛṣis
• Pitṛs
• Bhūtas
• Homa
• Śrāddha
• Bali

Tags

• Dharma
• Gṛhastha-dharma
• Pañcamahāyajña
• Śrāddha
• Ritual

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss pralaya; it teaches sustaining cosmic order (dharma) through daily rites—study, homa, śrāddha, and bali—which uphold harmony between humans, sages, ancestors, and other beings.

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

It outlines core gṛhastha obligations akin to the pañcamahāyajña: honoring ṛṣis through svādhyāya, maintaining sacrificial fires via homa, repaying ancestral debt through śrāddha, and practicing annadāna and bali to care for dependents and beings—duties a king should model and enable in society.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual: correct performance “yathāvidhi” of homa, śrāddha, and bali-offerings. Bali implies designated offering-places in a household/ritual space, reflecting orderly sacred practice rather than temple architecture rules.