Shloka 3

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

Devanagari script

कथयामास विश्वात्मा मनवे सूर्यसूनवे कर्मयोगं च सांख्यं च यथावद्विस्तरान्वितम् //

Transliteration

kathayāmāsa viśvātmā manave sūryasūnave karmayogaṃ ca sāṃkhyaṃ ca yathāvadvistarānvitam //

Translation

Then the All-Self, the Universal Spirit, explained to Manu, the son of the Sun, both Karma-yoga and Sāṃkhya—properly and in full detail.

Word by Word

• कथयामास: narrated/explained

• विश्वात्मा: the Universal Self (Supreme Lord)

• मनवे: to Manu

• सूर्यसूनवे: to the son of the Sun (Vaivasvata)

• कर्मयोगं: Karma-yoga (the discipline of action)

• च: and

• सांख्यं: Sāṃkhya (the path of discriminative knowledge)

• च: and

• यथावत्: correctly/as it should be

• विस्तरान्वितम्: endowed with elaboration/in detail

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Viṣṇu as the Universal Self), speaking to Vaivasvata Manu

Entities Mentioned

• Viśvātmā (Supreme Lord)
• Vaivasvata Manu
• Sūrya (Sun-god)

Tags

• Karma-yoga
• Sāṃkhya
• Dharma-teachings
• Manu
• Matsya-Avatara

FAQs

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

Directly, it does not describe Pralaya; instead, it frames the post-crisis transmission of dharma—Matsya instructs Manu in Karma-yoga and Sāṃkhya, the knowledge needed to sustain order in any age.

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

By pairing Karma-yoga (right action and duty without selfish attachment) with Sāṃkhya (discriminative insight), the verse presents a complete ethic: rulers and householders should act responsibly while grounding decisions in clear spiritual discernment.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No explicit Vāstu or ritual procedure is stated in this verse; its significance is foundational—these teachings are the philosophical basis that later supports correct ritual conduct and rule-based disciplines (including temple/ritual systems) in the Purāṇa.