Shloka 27

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

Devanagari script

तस्मान्न वाच्यो ह्येकेन बहुज्ञेनापि संशयः बहुधारस्य धर्मस्य सूक्ष्मा दुरनुगा गतिः //

Transliteration

tasmānna vācyo hyekena bahujñenāpi saṃśayaḥ bahudhārasya dharmasya sūkṣmā duranugā gatiḥ //

Translation

Therefore, even a very learned person should not try to settle a doubt all by himself; for the course of dharma, which runs in many streams, is subtle and difficult to follow.

Word by Word

• tasmāt: therefore

• na: not

• vācyaḥ: should be declared/decided (authoritatively)

• hi: indeed

• ekena: by one (person) alone

• bahu-jñena api: even by one who knows much/very learned

• saṃśayaḥ: doubt, uncertainty

• bahu-dhārasya: having many currents/branches

• dharmasya: of dharma (righteous duty/law)

• sūkṣmā: subtle

• duranugā: hard to follow/trace

• gatiḥ: path, course, movement

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, within the Matsya Purana’s didactic dialogue style)

Entities Mentioned

• Dharma

Tags

• Dharma
• Rajadharma
• Ethics
• Interpretation
• Decision-making

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe pralaya directly; it teaches that dharma is subtle and multi-branched, so certainty in moral judgment is difficult and should not be asserted by a single individual.

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

It warns rulers and householders that dharma often has competing obligations; decisions should be made with humility, consultation, and attention to context rather than unilateral, overconfident judgments—even by the learned.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No specific Vastu or ritual procedure is mentioned; the takeaway is methodological—ritual and legal duties in the Matsya Purana can be subtle and require careful, tradition-aware interpretation.