Shloka 36

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

Devanagari script

ततस्ते ऋषयो दृष्ट्वा हृतं धर्मं बलेन तु वसोर्वाक्यमनादृत्य जग्मुस्ते वै यथागतम् //

Transliteration

tataste ṛṣayo dṛṣṭvā hṛtaṃ dharmaṃ balena tu vasorvākyamanādṛtya jagmuste vai yathāgatam //

Translation

Then the sages, seeing that dharma had been seized by sheer force, disregarded Vasu’s words and departed, returning by the very way they had come.

Word by Word

• tataḥ: then

• te: those

• ṛṣayaḥ: sages

• dṛṣṭvā: having seen

• hṛtam: taken away/seized

• dharmam: righteousness, lawful order

• balena: by force, by might

• tu: indeed/however

• vasoḥ: of Vasu

• vākyam: speech, statement, command

• anādṛtya: not honoring, disregarding

• jagmuḥ: they went/departed

• te vai: they indeed

• yathā-āgatam: as (they) came, by the same route/just as before

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) describing the sages’ reaction within the dynastic-ethical episode

Entities Mentioned

• Rishis
• Vasu

Tags

• Rajadharma
• Dharma
• Kingship
• Ethics
• Rishis

FAQs

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

This verse does not address Pralaya directly; it highlights moral collapse—dharma being taken by force—which is a thematic sign of societal decline rather than cosmic dissolution.

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

It warns that rule grounded in mere power (bala) undermines dharma; when a ruler’s conduct disregards righteous order, even sages refuse endorsement—implying kings must uphold dharma and honor wise counsel rather than compel compliance.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vastu, temple-building, or ritual procedure is specified here; the practical takeaway is ethical—ritual authority and sacred legitimacy withdraw when dharma is overridden by force.