Shloka 4

Matsya Purana — The Greatness of Prayāga

Devanagari script

सर्वाणि तानि संत्यज्य कथमेकं प्रशंससि अप्रमाणं तु तत्रोक्तम् अश्रद्धेयमनुत्तमम् //

Transliteration

sarvāṇi tāni saṃtyajya kathamekaṃ praśaṃsasi apramāṇaṃ tu tatroktam aśraddheyamanuttamam //

Translation

After setting aside all those, how can you praise just one? For there it has been stated to be without valid proof—unreliable and yet claimed as ‘supreme’.

Word by Word

• सर्वाणि (sarvāṇi): all

• तानि (tāni): those

• संत्यज्य (saṃtyajya): having abandoned/setting aside

• कथम् (katham): how

• एकम् (ekam): one (alone)

• प्रशंससि (praśaṃsasi): you praise/commend

• अप्रमाणम् (apramāṇam): lacking valid authority or proof

• तु (tu): indeed/but

• तत्र (tatra): there/in that context

• उक्तम् (uktam): is said/has been stated

• अश्रद्धेयम् (aśraddheyam): not worthy of trust/faith

• अनुत्तमम् (anuttamam): unsurpassed/supreme

Speaker

• Likely Vaivasvata Manu (questioning Lord Matsya’s position within a dialogue on pramāṇa)

Entities Mentioned

• Vaivasvata Manu
• Lord Matsya
• Pramāṇa (valid means of knowledge)

Tags

• Pramana
• Shraddha
• Dharma
• Debate
• Scriptural Authority

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe pralaya directly; it frames a methodological concern—how to trust a ‘supreme’ claim if it is labeled apramāṇa (unsupported) and aśraddheya (unreliable).

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

It supports dharmic decision-making: a king or householder should not adopt a single policy or teaching merely by praise, but should examine pramāṇa (credible authority) and cultivate informed śraddhā (well-grounded trust).

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or ritual procedure is stated; the takeaway is indirect—ritual or temple-building prescriptions should be followed only when grounded in accepted pramāṇa, not when deemed aśraddheya.