Shloka 12

Matsya Purana — Agastya’s Origin

Devanagari script

अस्य योजनमात्रे ऽपि जीवकोटिशतानि च निवसन्ति सुरश्रेष्ठ स कथं नाशमर्हति //

Transliteration

asya yojanamātre 'pi jīvakoṭiśatāni ca nivasanti suraśreṣṭha sa kathaṃ nāśamarhati //

Translation

O best of the gods, even within a space of only one yojana, hundreds of crores of living beings dwell; how, then, could it deserve destruction?

Word by Word

• asya: of this (region/place/being)

• yojanamātre: in the measure of one yojana, within a single yojana

• api: even

• jīva: living beings

• koṭi-śatāni: hundreds of crores (vast multitudes)

• ca: and

• nivasanti: live, reside

• suraśreṣṭha: O best among the gods

• saḥ: it/he/that

• katham: how

• nāśam: destruction, ruin

• arhati: deserves, is fit for

Speaker

• Likely Vaivasvata Manu (addressing Lord Matsya/Vishnu as suraśreṣṭha within a preservation-vs-destruction argument in the deluge context)

Entities Mentioned

• Suraśreṣṭha (Best of the gods—epithet for Vishnu/Lord Matsya)

Tags

• Pralaya
• Compassion
• Ahimsa
• Cosmology
• Preservation

FAQs

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

It frames Pralaya (or any destruction) as morally weighty by emphasizing the immense density of life even in a small space, implying that dissolution is not to be treated lightly and must align with cosmic justice.

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

It supports dharmic governance and household ethics centered on protection and non-harm: rulers and householders should consider the welfare of countless beings affected by their actions, avoiding needless destruction.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vastu or ritual rule is stated; the takeaway is an ethical principle useful for site planning and ritual decision-making—avoid actions that cause widespread harm to living communities occupying a given space.