Shloka 11

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

Devanagari script

अध्वर्युप्रैषकाले तु व्युत्थिता ऋषयस्तथा महर्षयश्च तान्दृष्ट्वा दीनान्पशुगणांस्तदा विश्वभुजं ते त्वपृच्छन् कथं यज्ञविधिस्तव //

Transliteration

adhvaryupraiṣakāle tu vyutthitā ṛṣayastathā maharṣayaśca tāndṛṣṭvā dīnānpaśugaṇāṃstadā viśvabhujaṃ te tvapṛcchan kathaṃ yajñavidhistava //

Translation

But when the Adhvaryu gave the ritual signal, the ṛṣis and great seers rose. Seeing the herds of sacrificial animals then in a pitiable state, they questioned Viśvabhuj: “How is your procedure of sacrifice to be carried out?”

Word by Word

• अध्वर्यु-प्रैष-काले: at the time of the Adhvaryu’s injunction/command

• तु: but/then

• व्युत्थिताः: having risen/standing up

• ऋषयः: sages

• तथा: and likewise

• महर्षयः: great sages

• च: and

• तान्: them

• दृष्ट्वा: having seen

• दीनान्: distressed/pitiable

• पशु-गणान्: groups/herds of animals (intended for sacrifice)

• तदा: then

• विश्वभुजम्: Viśvabhuj (proper name, ‘all-sustaining’)

• ते: they

• तु: indeed

• अपृच्छन्: asked/inquired

• कथम्: how

• यज्ञ-विधिः: the method/procedure of sacrifice

• तव: your

Speaker

• Narrator (Purāṇic narration) describing the sages’ inquiry to Viśvabhuj

Entities Mentioned

• Adhvaryu
• Rishis
• Maharishis
• Viśvabhuj
• Paśu (sacrificial animals)
• Yajña

Tags

• Yajña
• Ritual Procedure
• Vedic Priests
• Dharma
• Ahimsa Debate

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya; it focuses on yajña procedure and the ethical/ritual concern arising from the condition of the sacrificial animals.

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

It implies that rulers and householders must ensure sacrifices are performed according to proper vidhi (procedure) and dharma—especially regarding the treatment and selection of animals and the correctness of priestly action.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it highlights the Adhvaryu’s formal injunction (praiṣa) that initiates action in the sacrifice and shows sages scrutinizing the yajñavidhi—an indicator that ritual correctness and ethical fitness are integral to Vedic performance.