Shloka 4

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

Devanagari script

वर्णाश्रमप्रतिष्ठानं कृत्वा मन्त्रैश्च तैः पुनः संहितास्तु सुसंहृत्य कथं यज्ञः प्रवर्तितः एतच्छ्रुत्वाब्रवीत्सूतः श्रूयतां तत्प्रचोदितम् //

Transliteration

varṇāśramapratiṣṭhānaṃ kṛtvā mantraiśca taiḥ punaḥ saṃhitāstu susaṃhṛtya kathaṃ yajñaḥ pravartitaḥ etacchrutvābravītsūtaḥ śrūyatāṃ tatpracoditam //

Translation

After establishing the proper order of the varṇas and āśramas, and again applying those mantras, and having carefully compiled and arranged the Saṃhitās—how, then, was the sacrifice (yajña) set in motion? Hearing this, Sūta said: “Listen to what is prompted by that inquiry.”

Word by Word

• वर्णाश्रम-प्रतिष्ठानम्: the establishment of the varṇa-and-āśrama system

• कृत्वा: having done/made

• मन्त्रैः: with mantras

• च: and

• तैः: with those (same)

• पुनः: again

• संहिताः: the Saṃhitās/collected textual recensions

• तु: indeed/then

• सुसंहृत्य: having well-collected/compiled

• कथम्: how?

• यज्ञः: the sacrifice (yajña)

• प्रवर्तितः: was initiated/set into operation

• एतत्: this

• श्रुत्वा: having heard

• अब्रवीत्: said/spoke

• सूतः: Sūta (the narrator)

• श्रूयताम्: let it be heard/listen

• तत्-प्रचोदितम्: that which is prompted/elicited by it (the question).

Speaker

• Suta Goswami (Sūta)

Entities Mentioned

• Suta Goswami
• Varna
• Ashrama
• Mantras
• Samhitas
• Yajna

Tags

• Yajna
• Varṇāśrama
• Mantra
• Vedic Recensions
• Ritual Procedure

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe pralaya directly; it focuses on restoring order after disruption by establishing varṇāśrama, organizing sacred recensions (Saṃhitās), and restarting yajña—an implied theme of re-stabilizing dharma after a period of disorder.

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

It frames yajña as dependent on social-religious order (varṇāśrama) and correct mantra/textual transmission (Saṃhitās). For rulers and householders, it implies supporting dharma through proper institutions, patronage of priests, and correct performance of rites rather than improvised ritual.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual: yajña is ‘set in motion’ only after (1) varṇāśrama is established, (2) mantras are properly applied, and (3) Saṃhitās are carefully compiled—highlighting textual/ritual correctness as the prerequisite for valid sacrifice.