Shloka 35

Matsya Purana — War of Devas and Asuras; Birth of Aurva Fire; Countering Tamasī Māyā through ...

Devanagari script

अब्भक्षा वायुभक्षाश्च दन्तोलूखलिनस्तथा अश्मकुट्टा ह्यशनकाः पञ्चातपसहाश्च ये //

Transliteration

abbhakṣā vāyubhakṣāśca dantolūkhalinastathā aśmakuṭṭā hyaśanakāḥ pañcātapasahāśca ye //

Translation

Those who subsist only on water, those who subsist only on air, those who pound (their food) with their teeth as with a mortar, those who crush (grains) with stone, those who remain without eating, and those who endure the ‘five fires’—all such ascetics are (here) being described.

Word by Word

• abbhakṣāḥ: water-eaters (living only on water)

• vāyubhakṣāḥ: air-eaters (living on air, extreme fasting)

• ca: and

• dantolūkhalinaḥ: those who use the teeth as a mortar (pounding/eating without tools, severe restraint)

• tathā: likewise

• aśmakuṭṭāḥ: those who crush/pound with stone (austere mode of preparing scant food)

• hi: indeed

• aśanakāḥ: non-eaters, fasters (abstaining from food)

• pañcātapa-sahāḥ: those who bear the pañcātapa austerity (four fires around and the sun overhead)

• ye: who/that (those who).

Speaker

• Sūta (narrating the Matsya Purāṇa’s discourse on austerities, within the Manu–Matsya instruction frame)

Entities Mentioned

• Tapas (austerity)
• Pañcātapa

Tags

• Tapas
• Vrata
• Asceticism
• Dharma
• Puranic ethics

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss pralaya; it catalogues types of tapas (extreme ascetic practices) recognized in the Matsya Purana’s dharma-oriented teaching.

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

By listing graded austerities, it frames self-restraint as a dharmic ideal; a householder or king is generally advised to honor such ascetics and adopt moderated vows (fasting, restraint, charity) rather than these extreme practices unless properly qualified.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No vastu or temple-architecture rule appears here; the ritual takeaway is the recognition of severe vow-types (like pañcātapa) as formal austerities within Puranic religious practice.