Matsya Purana — Manvantaras, Shloka 34

Devanagari script

शिषेर् धातोश्च निष्ठान्ताच् छिष्टशब्दं प्रचक्षते मन्वन्तरेषु ये शिष्टा इह तिष्ठन्ति धार्मिकाः //

Transliteration

śiṣer dhātośca niṣṭhāntāc chiṣṭaśabdaṃ pracakṣate manvantareṣu ye śiṣṭā iha tiṣṭhanti dhārmikāḥ //

Translation

Du radical verbal śiṣ (instruire/discipliner), avec la terminaison niṣṭhā, on explique le mot « śiṣṭa ». Ceux qui sont les śiṣṭas—justes, bien disciplinés et exemplaires—demeurent établis ici au fil des Manvantaras.

Word by Word

• śiṣeḥ: from the root śiṣ (to teach/instruct/discipline)

• dhātoḥ: from the verbal root

• ca: and

• niṣṭhāntāt: from the niṣṭhā (past-participial) ending

• śiṣṭa-śabdam: the word ‘śiṣṭa’

• pracakṣate: they declare/explain

• manvantareṣu: in (successive) Manvantaras

• ye: those who

• śiṣṭāḥ: the disciplined/righteous authorities (the “good people”)

• iha: here (in this world/age)

• tiṣṭhanti: remain/stand/abide

• dhārmikāḥ: devoted to dharma, righteous.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Manvantara
• Śiṣṭa
• Dharma

Tags

• Dharma
• Manvantaras
• Etymology
• Tradition
• Ethics

FAQs

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

It implies continuity across cosmic cycles: even as ages and Manvantaras change, dharma is preserved through śiṣṭas—disciplined, righteous exemplars—who remain as living standards of conduct.

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

It points to śiṣṭācāra (the conduct of the learned and disciplined) as a practical authority for dharma. Kings and householders should model policy and daily conduct on the standards upheld by such righteous exemplars.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or ritual procedure is stated; the takeaway is methodological: ritual and social practice should follow śiṣṭa-tradition—what competent, dharmic authorities transmit—an important principle also used when applying Matsya Purana temple and rite guidelines.