Shloka 25

Matsya Purana — The Greatness and Procedure of the Sarva-Phala-Tyaga Vrata

Devanagari script

यो वा शृणोति पुरुषो ऽल्पधनः पठेद्वा देवालयेषु भवनेषु च धार्मिकाणाम् पापैर्वियुक्तवपुरत्र पुरं मुरारेर् आनन्दकृत्पदमुपैति मुनीन्द्र सो ऽपि //

Transliteration

yo vā śṛṇoti puruṣo 'lpadhanaḥ paṭhedvā devālayeṣu bhavaneṣu ca dhārmikāṇām pāpairviyuktavapuratra puraṃ murārer ānandakṛtpadamupaiti munīndra so 'pi //

Translation

Even a man of little wealth—if he listens to this teaching or recites it in temples or in the homes of the righteous—becomes freed from sins here itself; and he too, O best of sages, attains the bliss-bestowing abode, the city of Murāri (Viṣṇu).

Word by Word

• yo vā: whoever indeed

• śṛṇoti: hears/listens

• puruṣaḥ: a person

• alpadhanaḥ: of small means/poor

• paṭhet vā: or recites/reads

• devālayeṣu: in temples

• bhavaneṣu: in houses

• ca: and

• dhārmikāṇām: of the righteous/pious

• pāpaiḥ: by sins

• viyukta-vapuḥ: having a body freed/separated (from sin, i.e., purified)

• atra: here (in this world)

• puram: city/abode

• murāreḥ: of Murāri (Viṣṇu, slayer of Mura)

• ānanda-kṛt-padam: the bliss-making state/realm

• upaiti: attains/goes to

• munīndra: O lord of sages

• saḥ api: he too.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) addressing Vaivasvata Manu (munīndra as honorific)

Entities Mentioned

• Murari (Vishnu)
• Devālaya (temple)
• Dhārmika (righteous householders)

Tags

• Bhakti
• Shravana
• Purana-Patha
• Temple-Merit
• Vaishnava-Soteriology

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it teaches soteriology—how hearing or reciting sacred teaching purifies sin and leads to Viṣṇu’s abode.

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

It elevates accessible dharma: even those with little wealth can practice merit through śravaṇa (listening) and pāṭha (recitation), especially in righteous homes—supporting household piety and patronage of sacred discourse.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it highlights devālaya (temple) as an authorized venue for recitation/hearing; the merit is tied to temple-space and dhārmika households rather than construction rules.