Shloka 20

Matsya Purana — Agastya’s Origin

Devanagari script

*नारद उवाच सम्भूतः स कथं भ्राता वसिष्ठस्याभवन्मुनिः कथं च मित्रावरुणौ पितरावस्य तौ स्मृतौ जन्म कुम्भादगस्त्यस्य कथं स्यात्पुरसूदन //

Transliteration

*nārada uvāca sambhūtaḥ sa kathaṃ bhrātā vasiṣṭhasyābhavanmuniḥ kathaṃ ca mitrāvaruṇau pitarāvasya tau smṛtau janma kumbhādagastyasya kathaṃ syātpurasūdana //

Translation

Nārada said: “How did that sage come into being, and how did he become the brother of Vasiṣṭha? Why are Mitra and Varuṇa remembered as his two fathers? And how did Agastya’s birth take place from a jar, O Pura-sūdana, slayer of the demon-city?”

Word by Word

• नारद उवाच: Nārada said

• सम्भूतः: arisen/produced/come into being

• स: he/that (sage)

• कथं: how

• भ्राता: brother

• वसिष्ठस्य: of Vasiṣṭha

• अभवत्: became

• मुनिः: sage

• कथं च: and how

• मित्रावरुणौ: Mitra and Varuṇa

• पितरौ: two fathers/parents

• अस्य: of him

• तौ: those two

• स्मृतौ: remembered/declared in tradition

• जन्म: birth

• कुम्भात्: from a jar/pitcher

• अगस्त्यस्य: of Agastya

• कथं स्यात्: how could it be/how did it occur

• पुरसूदन: O Pura-sūdana (epithet of Śiva, ‘destroyer of the demon city’)

Speaker

• Nārada

Entities Mentioned

• Nārada
• Vasiṣṭha
• Mitra
• Varuṇa
• Agastya
• Pura-sūdana (Śiva)

Tags

• Ancient Indian genealogy
• Rishi origins
• Sage lineages
• Puranic narratives
• Birth legends

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it introduces a genealogical inquiry about the miraculous origins of sages (Agastya and the brotherhood with Vasiṣṭha) and the tradition of dual parentage (Mitra–Varuṇa).

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

Indirectly, it frames dharma through lineage and authority: Purāṇic ethics often ground social and ritual norms in the lives of ṛṣis. Knowing the origins of revered sages supports śraddhā (trust in tradition) that guides kings and householders in ritual, counsel, and governance.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or temple-building rule appears in this verse. Its ritual relevance lies in identifying ṛṣis whose names function as authoritative seers in mantra lineages and sacrificial tradition.