Matsya Purana — Pitṛ Worlds, Shloka 32

Devanagari script

अग्नीषोमयमानां तु कार्यमाप्यायनं बुधः अग्न्यभावे ऽपि विप्रस्य प्राणाव् अपि जले ऽथवा //

Transliteration

agnīṣomayamānāṃ tu kāryamāpyāyanaṃ budhaḥ agnyabhāve 'pi viprasya prāṇāv api jale 'thavā //

Translation

Mais pour ceux qui accomplissent le rite Agnīṣoma, les sages prescrivent l’acte d’« āpyāyana » (réplétion/fortification rituelle). Même si le feu fait défaut pour un brāhmaṇa, on peut l’exécuter au moyen de l’eau, voire en soutenant la vie par l’eau comme procédé de substitution.

Word by Word

• agnīṣomayamānām: of those performing the Agnīṣoma sacrifice

• tu: indeed/but

• kāryam: should be done/is to be performed

• āpyāyanam: replenishment, strengthening, restorative rite (lit. causing to swell/increase)

• budhaḥ: the wise person/learned authority

• agny-abhāve: in the absence of fire

• api: even/also

• viprasya: of a brāhmaṇa (learned priest)

• prāṇān: vital breaths/life-force (here: sustaining life/ritual efficacy)

• api: even

• jale: in water/with water

• athavā: or alternatively.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, ritual-dharma discourse context)

Entities Mentioned

• Agni
• Soma
• Vipra (Brāhmaṇa)

Tags

• Dharma
• Ritual
• Śrauta
• Substitutions
• Agnīṣoma

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it focuses on ritual pragmatics—how a prescribed rite (Agnīṣoma-related ‘āpyāyana’) may be maintained even when the usual medium (fire) is unavailable.

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

It reflects dharma as practical continuity: a householder or patron of rites should ensure prescribed observances are not abandoned due to obstacles; authorized substitutes (like water when fire is absent) preserve ritual duty and social-religious order.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it teaches the principle of substitution (pratinidhi) in Vedic practice—water can function as an alternative medium when fire-based performance is impossible, safeguarding the rite’s intended ‘strengthening/replenishment’ effect.