Shloka 12

Matsya Purana — Catalogue of the Eighteen Puranas

Devanagari script

नामतस्तानि वक्ष्यामि शृणुध्वं मुनिसत्तमाः ब्रह्मणाभिहितं पूर्वं यावन्मात्रं मरीचये //

Transliteration

nāmatastāni vakṣyāmi śṛṇudhvaṃ munisattamāḥ brahmaṇābhihitaṃ pūrvaṃ yāvanmātraṃ marīcaye //

Translation

I shall now declare them by their names—listen, O best of sages—exactly as Brahmā formerly taught them, in due measure, to Marīci.

Word by Word

• नामतः (nāmatāḥ): by name, name-wise

• तानि (tāni): those (items/topics)

• वक्ष्यामि (vakṣyāmi): I will declare/tell

• शृणुध्वम् (śṛṇudhvam): listen (all of you)

• मुनिसत्तमाः (munisattamāḥ): O best of sages

• ब्रह्मणा (brahmaṇā): by Brahmā

• अभिहितम् (abhihitam): stated, taught, explained

• पूर्वम् (pūrvam): formerly, earlier

• यावन्मात्रम् (yāvanmātram): to the proper extent/measure, as much as is fitting

• मरीचये (marīcaye): to Marīci (dative)

Speaker

• Sūta (narrator) addressing the assembled sages (e.g., Śaunaka and others) while citing an older Brahmā→Marīci transmission

Entities Mentioned

• Brahmā
• Marīci

Tags

• Creation
• Transmission
• Cosmogony
• Sage-lineage
• Puranic pedagogy

FAQs

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

It frames the teaching as an authoritative, earlier revelation from Brahmā to Marīci, indicating that the coming material (often cosmological names/measures) is part of the standard creation-cosmology transmission rather than a new speculation.

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

Indirectly, it models dharmic learning: rulers and householders are expected to follow reliable śāstric lineages of instruction (guru-paramparā), hearing teachings “in due measure” and applying them appropriately rather than inventing doctrine.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No specific Vāstu or ritual rule is stated in this verse; however, the phrase “yāvanmātram” (“to proper measure”) signals the Purāṇic emphasis on correct proportions and measured instruction—an idea that becomes crucial in Vāstu Śāstra and ritual procedure elsewhere in the Matsya Purāṇa.