Shloka 112

Matsya Purana — Navagraha Sacrifice for Planetary Pacification and Prosperity

Devanagari script

न वाप्यल्पधनः कुर्याल् लक्षहोमं नरः क्वचित् यस्मात्पीडाकरो नित्यं यज्ञे भवति विग्रहः //

Transliteration

na vāpyalpadhanaḥ kuryāl lakṣahomaṃ naraḥ kvacit yasmātpīḍākaro nityaṃ yajñe bhavati vigrahaḥ //

Translation

A man of scant means should never undertake a lakṣa-homa (a hundred-thousand oblations), for it invariably becomes a cause of hardship and brings disturbance and conflict into the sacrifice (yajña).

Word by Word

• na: not

• vā api: even/also

• alpadhanaḥ: one with little wealth, poor

• kuryāt: should do/undertake

• lakṣa-homam: a lakṣa-homa, a rite of 100,000 oblations

• naraḥ: a man/person

• kvacit: ever/at any time

• yasmāt: because

• pīḍā-karaḥ: causing affliction/hardship

• nityam: always

• yajñe: in the sacrifice/ritual

• bhavati: becomes/arises

• vigrahaḥ: quarrel, discord, disruption (also “obstruction/contest”).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, within a didactic discourse on dharma and ritual propriety)

Tags

• Yajna
• Homa
• Dharma
• Ritual-ethics
• Householder-duties

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya or cosmology; it is a practical dharma instruction about undertaking major fire-rites only with adequate means to avoid disruption.

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

It advises responsible dharma: a householder (and by extension a patron-king) should not begin an enormous vow like a lakṣa-homa without sufficient resources, because financial strain tends to produce obstacles, disputes, and failure of ritual decorum.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it sets a key yajña-vidhi principle: large-count homas require sustained supplies, fees, and orderly management; otherwise the sacrifice becomes burdened by interruptions and quarrels—undermining the rite’s efficacy.