Matsya Purana — Measures of Time: Caturyuga Computation, Shloka 41

Devanagari script

दाराग्निहोत्रसम्बन्धम् ऋग्यजुःसामसंहिताः इत्यादिबहुलं श्रौतं धर्मं सप्तर्षयो ऽब्रुवन् //

Transliteration

dārāgnihotrasambandham ṛgyajuḥsāmasaṃhitāḥ ityādibahulaṃ śrautaṃ dharmaṃ saptarṣayo 'bruvan //

Translation

The Seven Sages declared the Śrauta form of dharma—abundant in injunctions—connected with the wife and the Agnihotra, and grounded in the Saṁhitās of the Ṛg, Yajus, and Sāman (and the rest of the Vedic corpus).

Word by Word

• dārā: wife (marital partner)

• agnihotra: the daily fire-offering rite

• sambandham: connection/association

• ṛg-yajuḥ-sāma-saṃhitāḥ: the Saṁhitās of the Ṛgveda, Yajurveda, and Sāmaveda

• ity-ādi: and so forth/and the like

• bahulam: extensive/abounding (in rules)

• śrautam: based on Śruti, Vedic (solemn) rites

• dharmam: religious duty/ritual law

• saptarṣayaḥ: the Seven Sages (Saptarishis)

• abruvan: declared/taught.

Speaker

• Narrator (Purāṇic narration attributing the teaching to the Saptarṣis; commonly within the Matsya–Manu dialogue frame)

Entities Mentioned

• Saptarṣis
• Agnihotra
• Ṛgveda
• Yajurveda
• Sāmaveda

Tags

• Śrauta Dharma
• Agnihotra
• Vedic Ritual
• Householder Duties
• Saptarṣis

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya directly; it focuses on Śrauta dharma—Vedic ritual duty—especially the Agnihotra and its scriptural basis in the Vedas.

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

It primarily concerns the gṛhastha (householder): Agnihotra is a daily Vedic fire rite traditionally tied to the married state (dārā-sambandha). For kings, it underscores upholding Vedic orthopraxy and supporting Śrauta rites in society.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual significance is central: Agnihotra and Śrauta dharma are presented as Veda-rooted, rule-rich practices taught by the Saptarṣis; no Vāstu or temple-architecture rule is specified in this verse.