Shloka 40

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

Devanagari script

राजर्षयो महात्मानो येषां कीर्तिः प्रतिष्ठिता तस्माद्विशिष्यते यज्ञात् तपः सर्वैस्तु कारणैः //

Transliteration

rājarṣayo mahātmāno yeṣāṃ kīrtiḥ pratiṣṭhitā tasmādviśiṣyate yajñāt tapaḥ sarvaistu kāraṇaiḥ //

Translation

Those royal sages—great-souled men—whose fame stands firmly established: therefore, for every reason, austerity (tapas) is held to excel even sacrifice (yajña).

Word by Word

राजर्षयःroyal sages, saintly kings

महात्मानःgreat-souled, noble persons

येषाम्of whom

कीर्तिःfame, renown

प्रतिष्ठिताfirmly established, well-founded

तस्मात्therefore, for that reason

विशिष्यतेis superior, excels

यज्ञात्than sacrifice, from yajña

तपःausterity, ascetic discipline

सर्वैःby all, in all respects

तुindeed, however

कारणैःreasons, grounds, causes

Speaker

Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, within a rajadharma/tapas discourse)

Entities Mentioned

Rajarsis (royal sages)YajnaTapasKirti (fame)

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya directly; it focuses on moral causality—how enduring merit and renown arise, emphasizing tapas as a higher spiritual cause than ritual sacrifice.

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

It praises the ideal of the rājarṣi: a king who governs while practicing self-restraint and disciplined austerity. For householders too, it implies that inner discipline and ethical restraint can surpass external ritual performance in producing lasting virtue and reputation.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it ranks tapas above yajña, suggesting that spiritual discipline can be a stronger source of religious merit than elaborate sacrifices; it contains no specific Vastu or temple-building rule.