Shloka 10

Matsya Purana — The Origin of Yajña in Tretā Yuga and the Debate on Animal Sacrifice vs. Non-...

Devanagari script

य इन्द्रियात्मका देवा यज्ञभागभुजस्तु ते तान्यजन्ति तदा देवाः कल्यादिषु भवन्ति ये //

Transliteration

ya indriyātmakā devā yajñabhāgabhujastu te tānyajanti tadā devāḥ kalyādiṣu bhavanti ye //

Translation

Those deities who are of the very nature of the senses, and who partake of their allotted share in the yajña—when duly worshipped, those very deities become manifest in the worshipper’s life as auspicious powers and the like.

Word by Word

• ye: those who

• indriya-ātmakāḥ: having the nature/essence of the senses

• devāḥ: deities

• yajña-bhāga-bhujaḥ: enjoyers/receivers of the sacrificial share

• tu: indeed

• te: they

• tān: them

• yajanti: (people) worship/sacrifice to

• tadā: then/at that time

• devāḥ: the deities

• kalyādiṣu: in auspiciousness and related beneficent states (kalyāṇa-ādi)

• bhavanti: become/come to be

• ye: who/that (referring back to those deities).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu (contextual attribution within Matsya Purana discourse)

Entities Mentioned

• Devas
• Indriyas
• Yajna

Tags

• Yajna
• Devatattva
• Indriyas
• Ritual
• Auspiciousness

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; it frames a sustaining cosmic principle: deities function through the senses and are maintained through yajña, implying an ordered cosmos upheld by ritual reciprocity rather than dissolution.

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

It supports the householder/kingly duty of maintaining yajña and worship: honoring the deities who operate through the senses brings kalyāṇa (auspicious welfare), aligning personal discipline and public prosperity with ritual obligation.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it emphasizes yajña-bhāga (the deity’s “share” in offerings) and the idea that correct worship activates beneficent divine functions; it does not give specific Vāstu or temple-construction rules in this verse.