Shloka 18

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

Devanagari script

तस्मादात्मगुणोपेतः श्रुतिकर्म समाचरेत् गोब्राह्मणानां वित्तेन सर्वदा भद्रमाचरेत् //

Transliteration

tasmādātmaguṇopetaḥ śrutikarma samācaret gobrāhmaṇānāṃ vittena sarvadā bhadramācaret //

Translation

Therefore, endowed with self-restraint and noble virtues, one should duly perform the duties of śruti and karma enjoined by the Veda; and with one’s wealth one should always act for the welfare of cows and Brahmins, ever doing what is auspicious and beneficial.

Word by Word

• tasmāt: therefore

• ātma-guṇa-upetaḥ: possessed of inner virtues/self-discipline

• śruti-karma: Veda-enjoined rites and duties

• samācaret: should practice/perform properly

• go-brāhmaṇānām: of cows and Brahmins

• vittena: with wealth/by means of one’s resources

• sarvadā: always

• bhadram: auspicious good/welfare

• ācaret: should do/should undertake

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (instructing Vaivasvata Manu on dharma and right conduct)

Entities Mentioned

• Gau (cows)
• Brahmanas (Brahmins)
• Shruti (Vedic revelation)

Tags

• Dharma
• Sadachara
• Dana (charity)
• Vedic rites
• Go-Brahmana protection

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it focuses on dharma—performing Veda-enjoined duties and using wealth for auspicious welfare, especially supporting cows and Brahmins.

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

It instructs both householders and rulers to cultivate inner virtues, uphold Shruti-based obligations, and direct wealth toward public religious welfare—classically expressed as protecting and supporting go (cows) and brāhmaṇas as pillars of social and ritual order.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual significance is explicit: “śruti-karma” indicates Vedic rites and prescribed duties; the verse does not mention Vastu or temple construction directly, but frames righteous resource-use as support for Vedic ritual continuity.