Matsya Purana — Measures of Time: Caturyuga Computation, Shloka 41

Devanagari script

दाराग्निहोत्रसम्बन्धम् ऋग्यजुःसामसंहिताः इत्यादिबहुलं श्रौतं धर्मं सप्तर्षयो ऽब्रुवन् //

Transliteration

dārāgnihotrasambandham ṛgyajuḥsāmasaṃhitāḥ ityādibahulaṃ śrautaṃ dharmaṃ saptarṣayo 'bruvan //

Translation

दाराग्निहोत्रसम्बद्धं ऋग्यजुःसामसंहिताद्याधारितं बहुविधविधिनिषेधसमृद्धं श्रौतं धर्मं सप्तर्षयः प्राहुः।

Word by Word

• dārā: wife (marital partner)

• agnihotra: the daily fire-offering rite

• sambandham: connection/association

• ṛg-yajuḥ-sāma-saṃhitāḥ: the Saṁhitās of the Ṛgveda, Yajurveda, and Sāmaveda

• ity-ādi: and so forth/and the like

• bahulam: extensive/abounding (in rules)

• śrautam: based on Śruti, Vedic (solemn) rites

• dharmam: religious duty/ritual law

• saptarṣayaḥ: the Seven Sages (Saptarishis)

• abruvan: declared/taught.

Speaker

• Narrator (Purāṇic narration attributing the teaching to the Saptarṣis; commonly within the Matsya–Manu dialogue frame)

Entities Mentioned

• Saptarṣis
• Agnihotra
• Ṛgveda
• Yajurveda
• Sāmaveda

Tags

• Śrauta Dharma
• Agnihotra
• Vedic Ritual
• Householder Duties
• Saptarṣis

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya directly; it focuses on Śrauta dharma—Vedic ritual duty—especially the Agnihotra and its scriptural basis in the Vedas.

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

It primarily concerns the gṛhastha (householder): Agnihotra is a daily Vedic fire rite traditionally tied to the married state (dārā-sambandha). For kings, it underscores upholding Vedic orthopraxy and supporting Śrauta rites in society.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual significance is central: Agnihotra and Śrauta dharma are presented as Veda-rooted, rule-rich practices taught by the Saptarṣis; no Vāstu or temple-architecture rule is specified in this verse.