Shloka 23

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

Devanagari script

यदि प्रमाणं स्वान्येव मन्त्रवाक्याणि वो द्विजाः तथा प्रवर्ततां यज्ञो ह्य् अन्यथा मानृतं वचः //

Transliteration

yadi pramāṇaṃ svānyeva mantravākyāṇi vo dvijāḥ tathā pravartatāṃ yajño hy anyathā mānṛtaṃ vacaḥ //

Translation

If, O twice-born, your own mantra-statements are indeed the valid authority, then let the sacrifice proceed accordingly; for otherwise your speech would amount to falsehood.

Word by Word

• yadi: if

• pramāṇam: valid proof/authoritative means

• svāni eva: your own indeed

• mantravākyāṇi: statements of mantras/ritual formulae

• vaḥ: of you/your

• dvijāḥ: O twice-born (Brahmins)

• tathā: in that manner/accordingly

• pravartatām: let it proceed/let it be set in motion

• yajñaḥ: the sacrifice

• hi: indeed/for

• anyathā: otherwise

• mānṛtam: untrue/false

• vacaḥ: speech/utterance

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) addressing the dvijas in the discourse to Manu

Entities Mentioned

• Dvijas (Brahmins)
• Mantras
• Yajña (Sacrifice)

Tags

• Dharma
• Ritual
• Vedic Authority
• Mantra
• Yajña

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya directly; it focuses on pramāṇa (authority) in ritual practice, stressing that ritual claims must align with authoritative mantra-speech to avoid falsehood.

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

It reinforces dharmic governance and household practice by insisting that public rites (yajñas) be grounded in legitimate authority (mantra-pramāṇa) and truthful speech—principles a king upholds and a householder follows when sponsoring rituals.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual takeaway is that yajña must be conducted in accordance with authoritative mantras; otherwise the officiants’ words become ‘untrue,’ undermining the validity of the rite.