Shloka 29

Matsya Purana — Nārāyaṇa as Haṃsa in the Cosmic Ocean: Vedic Yajña-Puruṣa and Mārkaṇḍeya’s Vi...

Devanagari script

सद्वृत्तमास्थिताः सर्वे वर्णा ब्राह्मणपूर्वकाः चत्वारश्चाश्रमाः सम्यग् यथोद्दिष्टा मया तव //

Transliteration

sadvṛttamāsthitāḥ sarve varṇā brāhmaṇapūrvakāḥ catvāraścāśramāḥ samyag yathoddiṣṭā mayā tava //

Translation

All the social orders—beginning with the Brāhmaṇas—are established in right conduct; and the four stages of life, too, have been correctly set forth for you by me, just as prescribed.

Word by Word

• sad-vṛttam: right conduct, righteous discipline

• āsthitāḥ: established in, abiding in

• sarve: all

• varṇāḥ: social orders (varṇas)

• brāhmaṇa-pūrvakāḥ: beginning with the Brāhmaṇas / with Brāhmaṇas foremost

• catvāraḥ: four

• ca: and

• āśramāḥ: stages of life (brahmacarya, gārhasthya, vānaprastha, saṃnyāsa)

• samyak: properly, correctly

• yathā-uddiṣṭāḥ: as indicated/declared according to rule

• mayā: by me

• tava: for you / to you.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) addressing Vaivasvata Manu

Entities Mentioned

• Matsya
• Vaivasvata Manu
• Brāhmaṇa
• Varṇa
• Āśrama

Tags

• Dharma
• Varna
• Ashrama
• Sadachara
• Social Ethics

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it summarizes the Purāṇa’s dharma teaching: society and spiritual life are sustained through sadācāra (right conduct) and the regulated four āśramas.

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

It frames governance and household life within varṇa–āśrama order: a king protects social stability by upholding righteous conduct, while a householder follows the gārhasthya duties as part of the four-āśrama system taught to Manu.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or iconographic rule appears here; the ritual takeaway is broader—proper rites and disciplines are to be performed according to one’s āśrama and varṇa, grounded in sadvṛtta.