Shloka 21

Matsya Purana — Agastya’s Origin

Devanagari script

*ईश्वर उवाच पुरा पुराणपुरुषः कदाचिद्गन्धमादने भूत्वा धर्मसुतो विष्णुश् चचार विपुलं तपः //

Transliteration

*īśvara uvāca purā purāṇapuruṣaḥ kadācidgandhamādane bhūtvā dharmasuto viṣṇuś cacāra vipulaṃ tapaḥ //

Translation

Īśvara said: Long ago, the Primeval Person (Purāṇapuruṣa) once, upon Gandhamādana mountain, became known as Dharma’s son; and as Viṣṇu he undertook abundant austerities.

Word by Word

• ईश्वर (īśvara): the Lord

• उवाच (uvāca): said

• पुरा (purā): formerly/long ago

• पुराणपुरुषः (purāṇapuruṣaḥ): the Primeval/Ancient Person (Supreme Being)

• कदाचित् (kadācit): once/at a certain time

• गन्धमादने (gandhamādane): on Gandhamādana (mountain)

• भूत्वा (bhūtvā): having become/assuming (a form or identity)

• धर्मसुतः (dharmasutaḥ): son of Dharma

• विष्णुः (viṣṇuḥ): Vishnu

• चचार (cacāra): practiced/went about/undertook

• विपुलम् (vipulam): great/abundant

• तपः (tapaḥ): austerity, ascetic practice

Speaker

• Īśvara (the Lord; narrative voice within the dialogue)

Entities Mentioned

• Īśvara
• Purāṇapuruṣa
• Viṣṇu
• Dharma
• Gandhamādana

Tags

• Tapas
• Vishnu
• Dharma
• Sacred Mountains
• Puranic Narrative

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya directly; it emphasizes the timeless, pre-cosmic status of the Purāṇapuruṣa (Primeval Person) who can assume forms and undertake tapas—an idea that underlies Puranic cycles of creation and dissolution.

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

By portraying Viṣṇu himself practicing vipula-tapas, the verse elevates austerity and self-discipline as core supports of dharma—values mirrored in the king’s restraint and the householder’s regulated conduct, charity, and vows.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or temple rule appears here; the ritual takeaway is the sanctity of tapas performed at sacred sites like Gandhamādana, reinforcing the Puranic principle that place (kṣetra) and disciplined practice amplify spiritual merit.