Shloka 33

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

Devanagari script

द्रव्यमन्त्रात्मको यज्ञस् तपश्च समतात्मकम् यज्ञैश्च देवानाप्नोति वैराजं तपसा पुनः //

Transliteration

dravyamantrātmako yajñas tapaśca samatātmakam yajñaiśca devānāpnoti vairājaṃ tapasā punaḥ //

Translation

Yajña is constituted of offerings (dravya) and mantras, while tapas is constituted of equanimity (samatā). By yajñas one attains the gods; but by tapas one again attains the Vairāja state—the cosmic station akin to Brahmā.

Word by Word

• dravya: material offering/substance

• mantra-ātmakaḥ: having mantra as its essence/constituted by mantras

• yajñaḥ: sacrifice/ritual worship

• tapaḥ: austerity/ascetic discipline

• ca: and

• samatā-ātmakaṁ: having equanimity as its essence

• yajñaiḥ: by sacrifices

• ca: and

• devān: the gods

• āpnoti: attains/reaches

• vairājam: the Vairāja state (cosmic rank associated with Virāj/Brahmā)

• tapasā: by austerity

• punaḥ: again/further (as a higher attainment).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Devas
• Virāj (Vairāja state)

Tags

• Dharma
• Yajna
• Tapas
• Soteriology
• Puranic Ethics

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; it outlines a hierarchy of spiritual attainments—yajña leads to deva-realms, while tapas (equanimity) leads to the higher cosmic status called Vairāja, implying ascent through cosmological levels rather than dissolution.

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

It frames the householder/kingly path as yajña-based (offerings and mantra, supporting gods and social order), while also affirming that inner discipline—samatā (even-mindedness)—is the essence of tapas and yields a higher spiritual fruit.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it defines yajña as dravya+mantra (proper substances and correct recitation), a key Matsya Purana ritual principle; there is no direct Vastu or temple-architecture rule in this specific verse.