Shloka 73

Matsya Purana — Soma

Devanagari script

अप्राप्ता यातनास्थानं प्रभ्रष्टा ये च पञ्चधा पश्चाद्ये स्थावरान्ते वै भूतानीके स्वकर्मभिः //

Transliteration

aprāptā yātanāsthānaṃ prabhraṣṭā ye ca pañcadhā paścādye sthāvarānte vai bhūtānīke svakarmabhiḥ //

Translation

Those who do not reach the places of torment, and those who have fallen away into the fivefold lower condition—afterwards, by their own actions, they enter the host of beings ending in the immobile forms (plants and the like).

Word by Word

aprāptāḥnot attaining

yātanā-sthānamthe place/state of torment (punitive suffering)

prabhraṣṭāḥfallen, degraded

yethose who

caand

pañcadhāin five ways / fivefold condition

paścātthereafter

yethose who

sthāvara-anteending in the stationary/immobile category (plants, etc.)

vaiindeed

bhūta-anīkein the troop/host of beings

sva-karmabhiḥby their own deeds (karma).

Speaker

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

Entities Mentioned

KarmaYātanā (torment)Sthāvara (immobile beings)

FAQs

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

It is not a Pralaya verse; it describes karmic consequence after death—some beings do not enter punitive hell-states and instead, through their deeds, fall into lower rebirths culminating in immobile (sthāvara) forms.

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

It reinforces the ethical core of the Matsya Purana: personal conduct and dharma directly shape one’s post-mortem trajectory. A king must govern justly and a householder must act righteously, since “svakarmabhiḥ” (one’s own deeds) determine degradation or uplift.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu/temple rule is stated here; the ritual takeaway is moral and expiatory—wrong actions can lead to severe downward rebirth, so dharmic living and appropriate prāyaścitta (atonement) are implied safeguards.