Shloka 1

Matsya Purana — Hiranyakashipu’s Boons

Devanagari script

*ऋषय ऊचुः इदानीं श्रोतुमिच्छामो हिरण्यकशिपोर्वधम् नरसिंहस्य माहात्म्यं तथा पापविनाशनम् //

Transliteration

*ṛṣaya ūcuḥ idānīṃ śrotumicchāmo hiraṇyakaśiporvadham narasiṃhasya māhātmyaṃ tathā pāpavināśanam //

Translation

The sages said: “Now we wish to hear about the slaying of Hiraṇyakaśipu, the greatness of Narasiṃha, and also that which brings about the destruction of sins.”

Word by Word

• ऋषयः: the sages

• ऊचुः: said

• इदानीम्: now

• श्रोतुम्: to hear

• इच्छामः: we desire

• हिरण्यकशिपोः: of Hiraṇyakaśipu

• वधम्: the slaying

• नरसिंहस्य: of Narasiṃha

• माहात्म्यम्: greatness, sacred glory

• तथा: and also

• पाप-विनाशनम्: destruction/removal of sins

Speaker

• The sages (Ṛṣis)

Entities Mentioned

• Hiraṇyakaśipu
• Narasiṃha
• Ṛṣis (sages)

Tags

• Narasimha
• Avatara
• Bhakti
• Papanashana
• Purana-Dialogue

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe pralaya or cosmogenesis; it introduces a request to hear the Narasiṃha episode, framed as spiritually purifying (pāpa-vināśana).

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

Indirectly, it highlights the Purāṇic ethic that hearing sacred narratives of divine protection and justice supports dharma—encouraging rulers and householders to cultivate devotion, moral restraint, and repentance that reduces sinful tendencies.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No vāstu, temple-building, or ritual procedure is specified in this verse; its ritual takeaway is the merit of śravaṇa (devotional listening) to Narasiṃha’s māhātmya as a means of pāpa-kṣaya (sin reduction).