Shloka 18

Matsya Purana — Glory of Prayaga: The Fruit of the Anashaka Fast and the Merit of the Yamuna

Devanagari script

धर्मानुसारि तत्त्वज्ञ पृच्छतस्ते पुनः पुनः त्वत्प्रियार्थं समाख्यातं गुह्यमेतत्सनातनम् //

Transliteration

dharmānusāri tattvajña pṛcchataste punaḥ punaḥ tvatpriyārthaṃ samākhyātaṃ guhyametatsanātanam //

Translation

O follower of Dharma, O knower of truth—since you have asked again and again, for your own benefit I have explained this eternal, confidential teaching.

Word by Word

• धर्मानुसारि: O one who follows dharma

• तत्त्वज्ञ: O knower of reality/truth

• पृच्छतस् ते: to you who are asking

• पुनः पुनः: again and again

• त्वत्-प्रिय-अर्थम्: for what is dear/beneficial to you (for your welfare)

• समाख्यातम्: has been fully explained/told

• गुह्यम्: secret, esoteric, confidential

• एतत्: this

• सनातनम्: eternal, ancient, perennial

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) addressing Vaivasvata Manu

Entities Mentioned

• Lord Matsya
• Vaivasvata Manu
• Dharma

Tags

• Dharma
• Guhya-vidya
• Upadesha
• Manu
• Matsya Avatara

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya directly; it frames the teaching as “eternal” and “confidential,” indicating a timeless doctrine that remains relevant across cycles of creation and dissolution.

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

By praising Manu as a dharma-follower and truth-knower, the verse implies that rulers and householders should repeatedly inquire into dharma and receive instruction for their own welfare and right governance.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No specific Vastu or ritual procedure is stated in this verse; it functions as a preface emphasizing that what follows is a guarded, authoritative instruction—often the manner in which ritual or technical rules are introduced in the Purana.