Shloka 5

Matsya Purana — The Greatness of Prayāga

Devanagari script

गतिं च परमां दिव्यां भोगांश्चैव यथेप्सितान् किमर्थमल्पयोगेन बहु धर्मं प्रशंससि एतन्मे संशयं ब्रूहि यथादृष्टं यथाश्रुतम् //

Transliteration

gatiṃ ca paramāṃ divyāṃ bhogāṃścaiva yathepsitān kimarthamalpayogena bahu dharmaṃ praśaṃsasi etanme saṃśayaṃ brūhi yathādṛṣṭaṃ yathāśrutam //

Translation

“(You speak of) the supreme, divine destination, and also of enjoyments as one may desire—why then do you praise extensive Dharma as attainable through only a small measure of discipline? Please resolve this doubt of mine, just as you have seen and just as you have heard from authoritative tradition.”

Word by Word

• गतिम् (gatim): destination, spiritual course

• च (ca): and

• परमाम् (paramām): supreme

• दिव्याम् (divyām): divine, celestial

• भोगान् (bhogān): enjoyments, experiences of pleasure

• च एव (ca eva): and indeed/also

• यथा-ईप्सितान् (yathepsitān): as desired, according to one’s wish

• किमर्थम् (kimartham): for what reason, why

• अल्प-योगेन (alpa-yogena): by little yoga/discipline, with a small means or limited practice

• बहु (bahu): much, extensive

• धर्मम् (dharmaṃ): Dharma, righteous duty/law/merit

• प्रशंससि (praśaṃsasi): you praise, commend

• एतत् (etat): this

• मे (me): my

• संशयम् (saṃśayam): doubt, uncertainty

• ब्रूहि (brūhi): tell, explain

• यथा-दृष्टम् (yathādṛṣṭam): as (it is) seen/known by direct insight

• यथा-श्रुतम् (yathāśrutam): as heard, as received through tradition/scripture.

Speaker

• Vaivasvata Manu (questioning Lord Matsya / the divine teacher)

Entities Mentioned

• Dharma
• Yoga (as discipline/means)
• Divine destination (paramā gati)

Tags

• Dharma
• Moksha
• Karma-phala
• Yoga
• Manu-Matsya Dialogue

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya directly; it frames a doctrinal doubt about how spiritual ascent (paramā gati) and desired enjoyments can be connected to Dharma that is said to be achievable through limited practice.

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

It reflects a ruler/householder’s practical concern: how to reconcile limited time and effort (alpa-yoga) with the need for extensive Dharma. The verse sets up guidance on efficient, high-impact righteous conduct suitable for worldly responsibilities.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or temple-architecture rule is stated in this verse; its ritual implication is general—seeking clarity on which practices can yield significant merit and spiritual progress even when performed in a limited measure.