Shloka 22

Matsya Purana — The Greatness and Procedure of the Aṅgāra

Devanagari script

साधु साध्विति तेनोक्तम् अहो माहात्म्यमुत्तमम् पश्यतो ऽपि भवेद्रूपम् ऐश्वर्यं किमु कुर्वतः //

Transliteration

sādhu sādhviti tenoktam aho māhātmyamuttamam paśyato 'pi bhavedrūpam aiśvaryaṃ kimu kurvataḥ //

Translation

“Excellent, excellent!”—so he exclaimed: “Ah, what supreme greatness is this!” Even by merely beholding it, beauty of form and lordly prosperity arise—how much more for one who truly performs it?

Word by Word

• साधु साधु (sādhu sādhu): well done, excellent

• इति (iti): thus

• तेन (tena): by him/thereupon

• उक्तम् (uktam): said, uttered

• अहो (aho): ah!, indeed

• माहात्म्यम् (māhātmyam): greatness, sacred potency

• उत्तमम् (uttamam): highest, supreme

• पश्यतः (paśyataḥ): of one who sees, while seeing

• अपि (api): even

• भवेत् (bhavet): would arise, would become

• रूपम् (rūpam): form, beauty, comeliness

• ऐश्वर्यम् (aiśvaryaṁ): sovereignty, prosperity, lordly power

• किमु (kimu): how much more

• कुर्वतः (kurvataḥ): of one who does, performs (the act/rite).

Speaker

• Narrative voice within the Matsya Purana dialogue (likely Lord Matsya praising the efficacy of a rite/observance to Manu, or the interlocutor responding with astonishment)

Entities Mentioned

• Matsya Purana (textual context)
• Sacred observance/rite (implied)

Tags

• Mahatmya
• Phala-shruti
• Dharma
• Ritual merit
• Purana teaching

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe pralaya directly; it teaches a general Purāṇic principle of spiritual efficacy—mere darśana (beholding) can confer visible benefits, and actual performance yields greater fruit.

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

It encourages active dharmic practice: a king or householder should not rely only on witnessing sacred acts but should sponsor, perform, and uphold them—since doing (kuru) is said to grant even greater prosperity and excellence than merely seeing.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No specific Vāstu rule is named, but the verse supports a common ritual-architectural idea: darśana of a sacred object/rite (such as a deity image, temple, or consecration) is beneficial, while commissioning or performing the rite is even more meritorious.