Shloka 62

Matsya Purana — Soma

Devanagari script

ब्रह्मचर्येण तपसा यज्ञेन प्रजया भुवि श्राद्धेन विद्यया चैव चान्नदानेन सप्तधा //

Transliteration

brahmacaryeṇa tapasā yajñena prajayā bhuvi śrāddhena vidyayā caiva cānnadānena saptadhā //

Translation

On earth, (well-being and merit are attained) in seven ways: through brahmacarya (celibate discipline), tapas (austerity), yajña (sacrificial worship), progeny, the śrāddha rite for the ancestors, sacred learning (vidyā), and the gift of food.

Word by Word

• ब्रह्मचर्येण (brahmacaryeṇa): by brahmacarya, celibate discipline/student-like restraint

• तपसा (tapasā): by austerity/ascetic effort

• यज्ञेन (yajñena): by sacrifice/ritual worship

• प्रजया (prajayā): by progeny/continuity of lineage

• भुवि (bhuvi): on earth/in this world

• श्राद्धेन (śrāddhena): by śrāddha, ancestral oblation rite

• विद्यया (vidyayā): by knowledge/sacred learning

• च एव (caiva): and indeed

• चान्नदानेन (cānna-dānena): and by giving food (anna-dāna)

• सप्तधा (saptadhā): sevenfold/in seven ways.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, within the Matsya Purana’s didactic dialogue framework)

Entities Mentioned

• Brahmacarya
• Tapas
• Yajña
• Prajā (progeny)
• Śrāddha
• Vidyā
• Anna-dāna

Tags

• Dharma
• Śrāddha
• Dāna
• Yajña
• Householder-Duties

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it outlines a sevenfold dharmic program for gaining merit and stability in worldly life—discipline, austerity, sacrifice, lineage, ancestral rites, learning, and feeding others.

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

It presents core householder-and-kingly supports of dharma: maintaining yajña (public ritual order), supporting prajā (social continuity), honoring ancestors through śrāddha, promoting vidyā, and practicing anna-dāna—acts that sustain society and legitimize righteous rule.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual emphasis is on yajña and śrāddha, plus anna-dāna as a prescribed charitable offering; while not architectural, it supports temple/ritual ecosystems where food-giving and rites are integral to religious institutions.