Matsya Purana — Measures of Time: Caturyuga Computation, Shloka 47

Devanagari script

ऋचो यजूंषि सामानि मन्त्राश्चाथर्वणास्तु ये सप्तर्षिभिश्च ये प्रोक्ताः स्मार्तं तु मनुरब्रवीत् //

Transliteration

ṛco yajūṃṣi sāmāni mantrāścātharvaṇāstu ye saptarṣibhiśca ye proktāḥ smārtaṃ tu manurabravīt //

Translation

ଋଗ୍ବେଦର ଋଚା, ଯଜୁର୍ବେଦର ଯଜୂଂଷି, ସାମବେଦର ସାମଗାନ, ଏବଂ ଅଥର୍ବଣ ମନ୍ତ୍ର—ସପ୍ତର୍ଷିମାନଙ୍କ ଉପଦେଶ ସହ—ଏହାକୁ ମନୁ ସ୍ମାର୍ତ୍ତଧର୍ମର ପ୍ରମାଣ ପରମ୍ପରା ବୋଲି କହିଲେ।

Word by Word

• ṛcaḥ: Ṛgvedic verses

• yajūṃṣi: Yajurvedic sacrificial formulas

• sāmāni: Sāmavedic chants

• mantrāḥ: mantras/sacred formulas

• atharvaṇāḥ: Atharvavedic (mantras/charms/ritual formulas)

• ye: which/that

• saptarṣibhiḥ: by the Seven Sages (Saptarṣis)

• ca: and

• ye proktāḥ: which were declared/taught

• smārtam: Smārta tradition (dharma based on smṛti and established usage)

• tu: indeed/for emphasis

• manuḥ: Manu (lawgiver)

• abravīt: said/proclaimed.

Speaker

• Likely Lord Matsya instructing Vaivasvata Manu (didactic narration referencing Manu as lawgiver)

Entities Mentioned

• Manu
• Saptarishis
• Rigveda
• Yajurveda
• Samaveda
• Atharvaveda

Tags

• Dharma
• Smriti
• Vedic Mantras
• Saptarishis
• Ritual Authority

FAQs

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

Nothing directly about pralaya is stated here; the verse instead defines scriptural authority—Vedic mantras and Saptarṣi teachings—as the basis for Smārta dharma.

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

It grounds conduct in recognized sources: household and royal rituals, vows, and legal norms should align with Vedic mantras and the Saptarṣis’ transmitted teachings as systematized by Manu (i.e., Smārta dharma).

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it affirms that procedures and recitations draw legitimacy from the four Vedas and sage-traditions—an important rule when selecting mantras for consecrations, homa, and other samskāras (including temple-related rites).