Shloka 17

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

Devanagari script

द्वाविंशतिस्तथाष्टौ च ये संस्काराः प्रकीर्तिताः तद्युक्तो ऽपि न मोक्षाय यस्त्वात्मगुणवर्जितः //

Transliteration

dvāviṃśatistathāṣṭau ca ye saṃskārāḥ prakīrtitāḥ tadyukto 'pi na mokṣāya yastvātmaguṇavarjitaḥ //

Translation

Even if one is endowed with the proclaimed twenty-two and also the eight saṃskāras, one is still not fit for liberation (mokṣa) if one is devoid of the soul’s inner virtues.

Word by Word

• dvāviṃśatiḥ: twenty-two

• tathā: and also/likewise

• aṣṭau: eight

• ca: and

• ye: which

• saṃskārāḥ: sacraments/rites of purification

• prakīrtitāḥ: declared, taught, praised

• tad-yuktaḥ api: even though endowed with those

• na: not

• mokṣāya: for liberation

• yaḥ: who

• tu: indeed/but

• ātma-guṇa: virtues/qualities of the self (inner character)

• varjitaḥ: deprived of, lacking

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Lord Matsya
• Vaivasvata Manu
• Saṃskāras
• Mokṣa

Tags

• Dharma
• Saṃskāra
• Moksha
• Ethics
• Inner Virtue

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya directly; it teaches that liberation is not achieved by ritual credentials alone but by inner spiritual qualities (ātma-guṇa).

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

It reframes duty as character: even if a householder or king performs prescribed rites and public dharma, mokṣa requires inner virtues—self-control, truthfulness, compassion, and purity of intent—beyond mere ceremonial compliance.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it emphasizes that saṃskāras (purificatory rites) are valuable but insufficient without inner transformation; it does not present Vāstu or temple-construction rules in this specific verse.