Shloka 8

Matsya Purana — Catalogue of the Eighteen Puranas

Devanagari script

प्रवृत्तिः सर्वशास्त्राणां पुराणस्याभवत्ततः कालेनाग्रहणं दृष्ट्वा पुराणस्य ततो नृप //

Transliteration

pravṛttiḥ sarvaśāstrāṇāṃ purāṇasyābhavattataḥ kālenāgrahaṇaṃ dṛṣṭvā purāṇasya tato nṛpa //

Translation

From that Purāṇa arose the onward course of all the śāstras. Then, O King, seeing that in the passage of time the Purāṇa was no longer being properly retained (studied and preserved), the tradition-bearer acted accordingly.

Word by Word

• प्रवृत्तिः (pravṛttiḥ): the arising/continuation, onward transmission

• सर्वशास्त्राणाम् (sarvaśāstrāṇām): of all treatises/branches of sacred learning

• पुराणस्य (purāṇasya): of the Purāṇa

• अभवत् (abhavat): came to be, arose

• ततः (tataḥ): from that/thereupon

• कालेन (kālena): with time, in the course of time

• अग्रহণम् (agrahaṇam): non-grasping, non-retention, neglect (of study/memorization)

• दृष्ट्वा (dṛṣṭvā): having seen/observed

• ततः (tataḥ): then/thereupon

• नृप (nṛpa): O king

Speaker

• Likely Lord Matsya (Vishnu) addressing Vaivasvata Manu (O King)

Entities Mentioned

• Purāṇa
• Śāstra
• Kāla (Time)
• Nṛpa (King—address to Manu)

Tags

• Purana transmission
• Scriptural authority
• Time and decline
• Preservation of knowledge
• Matsya Purana context

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; it highlights how sacred knowledge (the Purāṇa) underpins later śāstras and how, over time, neglect or loss of retention can occur—an intellectual decline that often accompanies cyclical ages.

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

By addressing “O King,” it implies a ruler’s dharma includes supporting the preservation and teaching of foundational texts—patronage of recitation, learning, and safeguarding of tradition so that society’s śāstric order remains intact.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No specific Vāstu or ritual rule is stated; the verse provides the meta-principle that Purāṇic knowledge is a source-stream for later technical disciplines (including ritual manuals and Vāstu-śāstra), so preserving the Purāṇa supports those applied sciences indirectly.