Shloka 55

Matsya Purana — Measures of Time: Caturyuga Computation

Devanagari script

वर्णाश्रमव्यवस्थानम् एषां ब्रह्मा तथाकरोत् संहिताश्च तथा मन्त्रा आरोग्यं धर्मशीलता //

Transliteration

varṇāśramavyavasthānam eṣāṃ brahmā tathākarot saṃhitāśca tathā mantrā ārogyaṃ dharmaśīlatā //

Translation

For them, Brahmā likewise established the proper organization of varṇas and āśramas; and he also set forth the saṃhitās and the mantras—granting health and a disposition grounded in dharma.

Word by Word

• वर्ण (varṇa): social class/order

• आश्रम (āśrama): life-stage/discipline

• व्यवस्थानम् (vyavasthānam): systematic arrangement/establishment

• एषाम् (eṣām): of these/for them

• ब्रह्मा (brahmā): Brahmā, the Creator

• तथा (tathā): likewise/also

• अकरोत् (akarot): made/ordained/established

• संहिताः (saṃhitāḥ): compendia/collections of sacred teachings

• च (ca): and

• तथा (tathā): also

• मन्त्राः (mantrāḥ): sacred formulas/mantras

• आरोग्यम् (ārogyam): health/freedom from disease

• धर्मशीलता (dharmaśīlatā): dharmic character/virtuous disposition

Speaker

• Sūta (narratorial voice) reporting the ordinance of Brahmā within the Matsya Purāṇa’s discourse

Entities Mentioned

• Brahmā
• Varṇa
• Āśrama
• Saṃhitā
• Mantra
• Dharma

Tags

• Varṇāśrama
• Dharma
• Mantra
• Vedic Tradition
• Social Order

FAQs

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

This verse is creation-order oriented rather than pralaya-focused: it credits Brahmā with instituting the structured varṇāśrama system and sacred transmissions (saṃhitās and mantras) that stabilize society after cosmic or social disruption.

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

It implies that governance and household life should align with varṇāśrama-dharma: a king protects and upholds these institutions, while a householder sustains ritual and ethical life through mantras and disciplined conduct that supports “ārogya” and dharmic character.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, the verse highlights mantras and saṃhitā-based tradition as the foundation for correct rites; while it does not mention Vāstu directly, it underpins temple/ritual procedure by asserting that sacred formulae and codified teachings are divinely instituted.