Matsya Purana — Manvantaras, Shloka 23

Devanagari script

दिव्यानां साधनात्साधुर् ब्रह्मचारी गुरोर्हितः कारणात्साधनाच्चैव गृहस्थः साधुरुच्यते //

Transliteration

divyānāṃ sādhanātsādhur brahmacārī gurorhitaḥ kāraṇātsādhanāccaiva gṛhasthaḥ sādhurucyate //

Translation

Un brahmacārin est appelé sādhu parce qu’il poursuit les moyens d’atteindre le divin et agit pour le bien de son maître. De même, le maître de maison est dit sādhu parce qu’il maintient les causes justes et les moyens pratiques (qui soutiennent le dharma).

Word by Word

• divyānām: of divine (ends/realities)

• sādhanāt: by means/practice, through discipline

• sādhuḥ: a good person, righteous one

• brahmacārī: the celibate student

• guroḥ: of the teacher

• hitaḥ: beneficial, acting for the good

• kāraṇāt: from/through the proper cause, by right reason

• sādhanāt: through the appropriate means/resources

• ca eva: and indeed

• gṛhasthaḥ: the householder

• sādhūḥ ucyate: is called ‘sādhu’

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Matsya
• Vaivasvata Manu
• Guru
• Brahmacari
• Grihastha

Tags

• Dharma
• Ashrama
• Brahmacharya
• Grihastha
• Sadachara

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it defines who is considered a sādhu within social-spiritual life, focusing on disciplined practice and dharmic support rather than cosmic dissolution.

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

It frames the gṛhastha as ‘sādhu’ when he sustains dharma through correct causes (kāraṇa—right intention/order) and correct means (sādhana—resources, work, charity, rituals). This supports the wider Matsya Purana ethic that stable household life underwrites society and righteous governance.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or iconography rule appears here; the ritual implication is general—householders are praised when they properly maintain dharmic means such as yajña, dāna, and daily duties that sustain sacred order.