Shloka 10

Matsya Purana — The Greatness of Prayaga and Allied Tirthas

Devanagari script

यजन्ते क्रतुभिर् देवास् तथा चक्रधरा नृपाः ततः पुण्यतमं नास्ति त्रिषु लोकेषु भारत //

Transliteration

yajante kratubhir devās tathā cakradharā nṛpāḥ tataḥ puṇyatamaṃ nāsti triṣu lokeṣu bhārata //

Translation

The gods worship through Vedic sacrifices (kratus), and likewise do the wheel-bearing kings. O Bhārata, in the three worlds there is nothing more supremely meritorious than that.

Word by Word

• यजन्ते (yajante): they worship/sacrifice

• क्रतुभिः (kratubhiḥ): by Vedic sacrifices/rites

• देवाः (devāḥ): the gods

• तथा (tathā): likewise

• चक्रधराः (cakradharāḥ): wheel-bearing (i.e., sovereigns/holders of royal authority)

• नृपाः (nṛpāḥ): kings

• ततः (tataḥ): than that/thereafter (i.e., compared to that act)

• पुण्यतमम् (puṇyatamam): most meritorious, supremely holy

• न अस्ति (na asti): there is not

• त्रिषु (triṣu): in the three

• लोकेषु (lokeṣu): worlds

• भारत (bhārata): O descendant of Bharata (address to the listener).

Speaker

• Sūta (Purāṇic narrator) describing Rajadharma ideals (contextually within the Matsya Purana’s discourse tradition)

Entities Mentioned

• Devas
• Chakradhara Nripas (sovereign kings)
• Bharata (addressee/lineage)

Tags

• Rajadharma
• Yajna
• Kingship
• Punya
• Vedic ritual

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya directly; it emphasizes dharmic action—especially sacrifice—as a source of supreme merit across the three worlds.

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

It presents the king as an upholder of cosmic order through sanctioned Vedic rites (kratus), implying that righteous governance includes supporting and performing public sacrificial duties for social and spiritual welfare.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual significance is primary: it elevates kratu-yajñas as the highest merit-producing acts; no specific Vāstu or temple-building rule is stated in this verse.