Shloka 50

Matsya Purana — Measures of Time: Caturyuga Computation

Devanagari script

आरम्भयज्ञः क्षत्रस्य हविर्यज्ञा विशः स्मृताः परिचारयज्ञाः शूद्राश्च जपयज्ञाश्च ब्राह्मणाः //

Transliteration

ārambhayajñaḥ kṣatrasya haviryajñā viśaḥ smṛtāḥ paricārayajñāḥ śūdrāśca japayajñāśca brāhmaṇāḥ //

Translation

For the Kṣatriya, the sacrifice called Ārambha-yajña is prescribed; for the Vaiśya, the Havis-yajñas are declared. For the Śūdra, sacrifices consisting in service (paricaryā) are enjoined; and for the Brāhmaṇa, sacrifices consisting in japa (sacred recitation) are prescribed.

Word by Word

• ārambha-yajñaḥ: the ‘undertaking/enterprise’ type of yajña (active performance and initiative in righteous action)

• kṣatrasya: for the Kṣatriya

• havir-yajñāḥ: oblation-sacrifices using havis (ghee, grains, etc.)

• viśaḥ: for the Vaiśya (the ‘people’/merchant-agricultural class)

• smṛtāḥ: are remembered/declared (as authoritative teaching)

• paricāra-yajñāḥ: service-sacrifices (yajña in the form of attendance, assistance, and dutiful service)

• śūdrāḥ: the Śūdras

• ca: and

• japa-yajñāḥ: recitation-sacrifices (mantra repetition as yajña)

• ca: and

• brāhmaṇāḥ: the Brāhmaṇas.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, within a dharma-teaching frame typical of the Matsya Purana)

Entities Mentioned

• Kshatriya
• Vaishya
• Shudra
• Brahmana
• Yajna

Tags

• Rajadharma
• Varna-ashrama
• Yajna
• Dharma
• Ritual

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it outlines dharma through varṇa-appropriate forms of yajña, emphasizing social order and righteous conduct rather than cosmic dissolution.

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

It assigns the Kṣatriya an ‘ārambha’ form of yajña—yajña expressed through decisive, disciplined undertaking of rightful responsibilities—supporting the idea that kingship and governance can be sacrificial when aligned with dharma.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it classifies yajña by eligibility and mode: havis-offerings for Vaiśyas, service as yajña for Śūdras, and japa as yajña for Brāhmaṇas—showing that ritual merit is accessible through different sanctioned practices, not only fire-offerings.