Shloka 25

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

Devanagari script

तस्मादग्निद्विजमुखान् कृत्वा सम्पूजयेदिमान् दानैर्व्रतोपवासैश्च जपहोमादिना नरः //

Transliteration

tasmādagnidvijamukhān kṛtvā sampūjayedimān dānairvratopavāsaiśca japahomādinā naraḥ //

Translation

Therefore, regarding Fire (Agni) and the Brāhmaṇas as the foremost “mouth” through which offerings are received, a man should duly honor them—by gifts, by vows and fasting, and by practices such as mantra-recitation (japa) and fire-offerings (homa).

Word by Word

• tasmāt: therefore

• agni: the sacred fire

• dvija: the twice-born (Brāhmaṇa, etc.)

• mukhān (mukha): as the mouth/foremost channel of reception

• kṛtvā: having made/considered

• sampūjayet: should worship, honor fully

• imān: these (i.e., Fire and Brāhmaṇas)

• dānaiḥ: with gifts/charity

• vrata: with religious vows/observances

• upavāsaiḥ: with fasting

• ca: and

• japa: mantra-recitation

• homa: oblations into fire/fire-sacrifice

• ādinā: and other such rites

• naraḥ: a man/person.

Speaker

• Likely Sūta (Purāṇic narrator) conveying dharma-instruction (general prescriptive teaching within Matsya Purāṇa)

Entities Mentioned

• Agni
• Dvija (Brāhmaṇas)

Tags

• Dharma
• Dāna
• Vrata
• Upavāsa
• Homa
• Japa

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it teaches everyday dharma—how merit is gained through honoring sacred fire and Brāhmaṇas via charity, vows, fasting, japa, and homa.

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

It outlines core duties of a householder (and by extension a king as chief patron): support dvijas with dāna, maintain vrata/upavāsa discipline, and perform japa-homa—framing Brāhmaṇas and Agni as primary recipients/mediators of offerings.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual rather than architectural: it emphasizes Agni-centered practice (homa) and allied disciplines (japa, fasting, vows, charity) as the proper means to ‘fully honor’ sacred recipients.