Shloka 3

Matsya Purana — Bhīma-Dvādaśī

Devanagari script

किमज्ञातं महादेव त्वत्प्रसादादधोक्षज स्वल्पकेनाथ तपसा महत्फलमिहोच्यताम् //

Transliteration

kimajñātaṃ mahādeva tvatprasādādadhokṣaja svalpakenātha tapasā mahatphalamihocyatām //

Translation

O Great Lord, O Adhokṣaja—what remains unknown for one who has your grace? Yet, O Master, please declare here what great result is obtained even by a small measure of austerity (tapas).

Word by Word

• kim: what?

• ajñātam: unknown, not understood

• mahādeva: O great Lord

• tvat-prasādāt: by your grace

• adhokṣaja: O Adhokṣaja (the Transcendent Lord beyond the senses)

• svalpakena: by a little, by a small amount

• atha: yet/still

• tapasā: by austerity, penance

• mahat-phalam: great fruit, great result

• iha: here (in this teaching/in this world)

• ucyatām: may it be spoken, please declare

Speaker

• Vaivasvata Manu (the inquirer/devotee) addressing Lord Matsya (Vishnu as Adhokṣaja)

Entities Mentioned

• Adhokṣaja
• Mahādeva (as an epithet: Great Lord)

Tags

• Tapas
• Divine grace
• Bhakti
• Puranic dialogue
• Spiritual merit

FAQs

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

This verse does not directly describe pralaya; it emphasizes that divine grace (prasāda) makes ultimate truths accessible, framing spiritual knowledge as dependent on the Lord rather than on cosmic events.

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

It supports the Matsya Purana’s ethic that even limited, sincere discipline (tapas)—such as vows, restraint, charity, and worship performed amid responsibilities—can yield great spiritual benefit when aligned with devotion and right intention.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No explicit Vāstu or iconographic rule appears here; ritually, it underscores the principle that modest observances and penances, performed correctly and with devotion, can produce disproportionate merit.