Shloka 61

Matsya Purana — Division of Bhārata-varṣa

Devanagari script

पृष्टस्त्वेवं तदा विप्रैर् यथाप्रश्नं विशेषतः उवाच ऋषिभिर्दृष्टं पुराणाभिमतं तथा //

Transliteration

pṛṣṭastvevaṃ tadā viprair yathāpraśnaṃ viśeṣataḥ uvāca ṛṣibhirdṛṣṭaṃ purāṇābhimataṃ tathā //

Translation

Thus, when questioned in this way by the Brahmin sages, he replied—addressing each query in its particularity—expounding what had been perceived by the seers and what is approved in the Purāṇic tradition.

Word by Word

• pṛṣṭaḥ: having been asked/questioned

• tu: indeed

• evaṃ: thus/in this manner

• tadā: then/at that time

• vipraiḥ: by the learned Brahmins/sages

• yathā-praśnam: according to the question(s) asked

• viśeṣataḥ: specifically/in detail

• uvāca: he said/he spoke

• ṛṣibhiḥ: by the rishis

• dṛṣṭam: seen/realized (by insight)

• purāṇa-abhimatam: accepted/authoritative according to the Purāṇas

• tathā: likewise/accordingly.

Speaker

• Sūta (narrator) describing the respondent’s reply to the sages (vipras)

Entities Mentioned

• Vipras (Brahmin sages)
• Rishis
• Purāṇa (scriptural tradition)

Tags

• Purana narration
• Rishi dialogue
• Authority of tradition
• Question-answer format
• Dharma teaching method

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe pralaya directly; it establishes the teaching method—answers are given precisely as asked and grounded in rishi-seen Purāṇic authority, which frames later cosmology and pralaya teachings as reliable.

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

It signals that dharma instructions in the Matsya Purana are delivered case-by-case (“according to the question”), implying that royal and household duties are to be understood contextually and in line with established Purāṇic norms.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No specific vastu or ritual rule is stated here; rather, it introduces that forthcoming ritual and temple-architecture guidance is presented as rishi-validated, Purāṇa-approved instruction responding to detailed inquiries.