Matsya Purana — Manvantaras, Shloka 56

Devanagari script

अत्र वो वर्णयिष्यामि विधिं मन्वन्तरस्य तु तथैव चातुर्होत्रस्य चातुर्वर्ण्यस्य चैव हि //

Transliteration

atra vo varṇayiṣyāmi vidhiṃ manvantarasya tu tathaiva cāturhotrasya cāturvarṇyasya caiva hi //

Translation

Aqui vos descreverei o procedimento prescrito (vidhi) relativo ao Manvantara; e igualmente o sistema sacrificial dos quatro sacerdotes (cāturhotra), e também o cāturvarṇya, isto é, a ordem e os deveres das quatro classes sociais.

Word by Word

• अत्र (atra): here, in this context

• वः (vaḥ): to you (all)

• वर्णयिष्यामि (varṇayiṣyāmi): I shall describe/explain

• विधिम् (vidhim): the rule, method, proper procedure

• मन्वन्तरस्य (manvantarasya): of a Manvantara (the epoch presided over by a Manu)

• तु (tu): indeed/now

• तथैव (tathaiva): likewise, in the same way

• चातुर्होत्रस्य (cāturhotrasya): of the four-priest Vedic rite/system (Hotṛ, Adhvaryu, Udgātṛ, Brahman)

• चातुर्वर्ण्यस्य (cāturvarṇyasya): of the four-varṇa order (Brāhmaṇa, Kṣatriya, Vaiśya, Śūdra)

• चैव (caiva): and also

• हि (hi): for/indeed (emphatic particle)

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) addressing Vaivasvata Manu (and/or assembled sages) in instructional discourse

Entities Mentioned

• Manvantara
• Cāturhotra
• Cāturvarṇya
• Manu

Tags

• Manvantara
• Vedic Ritual
• Cāturhotra
• Varna Dharma
• Matsya Purana Teachings

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya directly; it signals a shift into structured teaching on cosmic time (Manvantara-epochs) and the dharmic systems that operate within them.

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

By introducing cāturvarṇya and ritual order, the verse frames social duty: kings uphold varṇa-based governance and protection of dharma, while householders sustain sacrifice and social stability through prescribed rites.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual significance is explicit: cāturhotra refers to the four-priest framework essential to Vedic yajña performance, indicating an upcoming procedural exposition rather than temple architecture (vāstu) details.