Shloka 34

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

Devanagari script

ब्रह्मणः कर्मसंन्यासाद् वैराग्यात्प्रकृतेर्लयम् ज्ञानात्प्राप्नोति कैवल्यं पञ्चैता गतयः स्मृताः //

Transliteration

brahmaṇaḥ karmasaṃnyāsād vairāgyātprakṛterlayam jñānātprāpnoti kaivalyaṃ pañcaitā gatayaḥ smṛtāḥ //

Translation

Through renunciation of action (karma-saṃnyāsa) one attains Brahman; through dispassion (vairāgya) one attains dissolution into Prakṛti; through knowledge (jñāna) one attains Kaivalya. These five courses (gati) are remembered in the tradition.

Word by Word

• brahmaṇaḥ: Brahman (the Absolute)

• karma-saṃnyāsāt: from renunciation of actions/rites

• vairāgyāt: from dispassion/detachment

• prakṛteḥ: of Prakṛti (primordial nature)

• layam: dissolution/absorption

• jñānāt: from knowledge (spiritual insight)

• prāpnoti: attains

• kaivalyam: Kaivalya (absolute aloneness/liberation)

• pañca: five

• etāḥ: these

• gatayaḥ: paths/courses/attainments

• smṛtāḥ: are remembered/declared in Smṛti.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Brahman
• Prakriti
• Kaivalya

Tags

• Moksha
• Sannyasa
• Vairagya
• Jnana
• Samkhya-Yoga

FAQs

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

It speaks of an inner dissolution (laya) into Prakṛti as a spiritual attainment born of vairāgya, not the cosmic deluge-pralaya narrative.

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

It frames a progression where disciplined action can culminate in karma-saṃnyāsa (renunciation) and jñāna; for kings/householders, it supports performing dharma while cultivating detachment that can mature into liberation-oriented life-stages.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or iconographic rule is stated; the verse is philosophical, outlining liberation-path terminology (saṃnyāsa, vairāgya, jñāna, kaivalya) rather than ritual or temple-construction procedure.