Shloka 15

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

Devanagari script

एष यज्ञो महानिन्द्रः स्वयम्भुविहितः पुरा एवं विश्वभुगिन्द्रस्तु ऋषिभिस्तत्त्वदर्शिभिः उक्तो न प्रतिजग्राह मानमोहसमन्वितः //

Transliteration

eṣa yajño mahānindraḥ svayambhuvihitaḥ purā evaṃ viśvabhugindrastu ṛṣibhistattvadarśibhiḥ ukto na pratijagrāha mānamohasamanvitaḥ //

Translation

“This yajña is the great ‘Indra’—a sovereign and exalted rite—ordained long ago by Svayambhū (Brahmā). Yet Viśvabhuk Indra, though thus addressed by seers who beheld the truth, did not accept their counsel, being overcome by pride and delusion.”

Word by Word

• eṣaḥ: this

• yajñaḥ: sacrifice, sacred rite

• mahān: great

• indraḥ: Indra / lord / pre-eminent one

• svayambhu-vihitaḥ: established/ordained by Svayambhū (Brahmā)

• purā: formerly, long ago

• evaṃ: thus

• viśvabhuk: Viśvabhuk (an epithet/name of Indra, ‘enjoyer/sustainer of the world’)

• indraḥ tu: that Indra indeed

• ṛṣibhiḥ: by the sages

• tattva-darśibhiḥ: by those who perceive reality/truth

• uktaḥ: spoken to, addressed, advised

• na pratijagrāha: did not accept/receive (their words)

• māna: pride, self-importance

• moha: delusion, infatuation

• samanvitaḥ: accompanied by, possessed of.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (narrating Purāṇic history to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Indra
• Svayambhū (Brahmā)
• Ṛṣis (tattva-darśins)

Tags

• Yajña
• Indra
• Dharma
• Pride (Māna)
• Delusion (Moha)

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; it grounds ritual order in primordial authority by stating that yajña was ordained “long ago” by Svayambhū (Brahmā), implying a cosmic, creation-linked foundation for sacrificial dharma.

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

It teaches that even the highest authority (Indra) must accept truthful counsel; for kings and householders, dharma includes honoring wise advisers, performing sanctioned rites (yajña) correctly, and avoiding governance driven by pride and delusion.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it elevates yajña as a supreme, Brahmā-sanctioned institution and warns that ego can obstruct proper adherence to ritual truth—an ethical prerequisite for correct performance of rites.