Shloka 2

Matsya Purana — Rites for Consecrating and Celebrating Trees

Devanagari script

ये च लोकाः स्मृतास्तेषां तानिदानीं वदस्व नः यत्फलं लभते प्रेत्य तत्सर्वं वक्तुमर्हसि //

Transliteration

ye ca lokāḥ smṛtāsteṣāṃ tānidānīṃ vadasva naḥ yatphalaṃ labhate pretya tatsarvaṃ vaktumarhasi //

Translation

“And concerning the worlds spoken of in tradition—tell us of them now. Also explain in full what reward a person obtains after death; you ought to declare all of that.”

Word by Word

• ये (ye): which/those who

• च (ca): and

• लोकाः (lokāḥ): worlds/realms

• स्मृताः (smṛtāḥ): remembered/mentioned in tradition

• तेषाम् (teṣām): of those

• तान् (tān): those (worlds)

• इदानीम् (idānīm): now

• वदस्व (vadasva): speak/tell

• नः (naḥ): to us

• यत् (yat): which/what

• फलम् (phalam): fruit/result/reward

• लभते (labhate): obtains/attains

• प्रेत्य (pretya): after dying/after death

• तत् (tat): that

• सर्वम् (sarvam): all/entirely

• वक्तुम् (vaktum): to speak/to explain

• अर्हसि (arhasi): you are worthy/you should

Speaker

• Vaivasvata Manu (questioning Lord Matsya)

Entities Mentioned

• Lokas (worlds/realms)
• Preta (the departed state)

Tags

• Afterlife
• Lokas
• Preta-phala
• Dharma
• Puranic cosmology

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya directly; it frames an inquiry into cosmological realms (lokas) and the outcomes experienced after death, which often form part of broader Puranic cosmology discussions.

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

By asking about post-death results (pretya-phala), the verse underscores a key Matsya Purana theme: dharma should be practiced with awareness of ethical consequences, guiding kings and householders toward righteous conduct for auspicious afterlife outcomes.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No specific Vastu or temple-building rule is stated in this verse; it functions as a transition into teaching about lokas and post-death rewards, which later can connect to ritual merit (puṇya) gained through rites and donations.