Shloka 2

Matsya Purana — Account of the Manvantaras: Manus

Devanagari script

*मत्स्य उवाच मन्वन्तराणि राजेन्द्र मनूनां चरितं च यत् प्रमाणं चैव कालस्य तां सृष्टिं च समासतः //

Transliteration

*matsya uvāca manvantarāṇi rājendra manūnāṃ caritaṃ ca yat pramāṇaṃ caiva kālasya tāṃ sṛṣṭiṃ ca samāsataḥ //

Translation

Matsya said: “O king of kings, I shall relate—briefly—the Manvantaras, the deeds and lineages of the Manus, the true measure of cosmic time, and that creation as a whole in summary.”

Word by Word

• मत्स्य उवाच: Matsya said

• मन्वन्तराणि: the Manvantaras (epochs ruled by Manus)

• राजेन्द्र: O best of kings/king of kings

• मनूनाम्: of the Manus

• चरितम्: conduct, deeds, narrative account

• च: and

• यत्: which/that

• प्रमाणम्: measure, standard, reckoning

• च एव: and indeed

• कालस्य: of time

• ताम्: that

• सृष्टिम्: creation, emanation

• च: and

• समासतः: in brief, in summary

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Matsya-avatara of Vishnu)

Entities Mentioned

• Matsya
• Manu
• Manvantaras
• Kala (Cosmic Time)
• Srishti (Creation)

Tags

• Manvantaras
• Cosmic Time
• Creation
• Purana Cosmology
• Genealogy Framework

FAQs

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

It signals a cosmological teaching: Matsya will summarize creation and its timing through the framework of Manvantaras and the measure of cosmic time—key tools used in Purāṇas to explain cycles that include pralaya and re-creation.

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

By addressing the listener as “rājendra,” the verse frames kingship within cosmic order: understanding time-cycles, Manus, and their conduct provides models of righteous governance (dharma) and lineage-based responsibility emphasized throughout the Matsya Purana.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or ritual rule is stated in this verse; it functions as a thematic preface establishing cosmic chronology (kāla-pramāṇa), which later Purāṇic prescriptions often use to time rites, consecrations, and other dharmic acts.