Shloka 4

Matsya Purana — Yayāti’s Rule

Devanagari script

देवान् अतर्पयद् यज्ञैः श्राद्धैरपि पितामहान् दीनाननुग्रहैरिष्टैः कामैश्च द्विजसत्तमान् //

Transliteration

devān atarpayad yajñaiḥ śrāddhairapi pitāmahān dīnānanugrahairiṣṭaiḥ kāmaiśca dvijasattamān //

Translation

By sacrifices (yajña) he satisfied the gods; by śrāddha rites he gratified the forefathers; and by compassionate aid to the poor and by granting desired gifts, he also pleased the foremost of the twice-born (brāhmaṇas).

Word by Word

• devān: the gods

• atarpayat: satisfied, propitiated

• yajñaiḥ: by sacrifices/offerings

• śrāddhaiḥ api: also by śrāddha rites

• pitāmahān: the forefathers/ancestors

• dīna-anugrahaiḥ: by showing favor/compassion to the needy

• iṣṭaiḥ: by cherished/approved (acts or gifts)

• kāmaiḥ ca: and by desired objects/boons (gifts)

• dvija-sattamān: the best among the twice-born (eminent brāhmaṇas).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, describing dharmic conduct)

Entities Mentioned

• Devas
• Pitrs (ancestors)
• Dwijas (Brahmanas)

Tags

• Dharma
• Yajna
• Shraddha
• Dana
• Householder-Duties

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it outlines dharmic means of sustaining cosmic order—propitiating Devas and Pitrs through yajña and śrāddha—rather than describing dissolution events.

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

It summarizes core gṛhastha/royal obligations: perform yajñas (public and personal rites), conduct śrāddha for ancestors, protect and support the poor, and honor learned brāhmaṇas through appropriate gifts—actions that legitimize rulership and household prosperity in Purāṇic ethics.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is primarily ritual: yajña and śrāddha are presented as direct modes of ‘tarpana’ (satisfaction) for Devas and Pitrs, while dāna (granting desired gifts) is a parallel duty toward brāhmaṇas; no Vāstu/temple-building rule is stated in this verse.