Shloka 3

Matsya Purana — Hiranyakashipu’s Boons

Devanagari script

दश वर्षसहस्राणि दश वर्षशतानि च जलवासी समभवत् स्नानमौनधृतव्रतः //

Transliteration

daśa varṣasahasrāṇi daśa varṣaśatāni ca jalavāsī samabhavat snānamaunadhṛtavrataḥ //

Translation

For ten thousand years, and for a further ten hundred years, he lived dwelling in the waters, observing his vows—maintaining ritual bathing, silence, and steadfast disciplines.

Word by Word

• दश: ten

• वर्ष: years

• सहस्राणि: thousands

• दश: ten

• वर्षशतानि: hundreds of years

• च: and

• जलवासी: one dwelling in water / living in the waters

• समभवत्: became / remained

• स्नान: bathing (ritual ablution)

• मौन: silence

• धृतव्रतः: one who holds/keeps vows firmly

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) narrating to Vaivasvata Manu (contextual attribution within the Matsya Purana’s flood-cycle dialogue)

Entities Mentioned

• Matsya
• Vaivasvata Manu

Tags

• Pralaya
• Tapas
• Vrata
• Ritual Purity
• Manu

FAQs

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

It emphasizes prolonged survival and disciplined austerity during a water-dominated period, aligning with the Purāṇic flood context where life and dharma are preserved amid inundation.

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

It highlights self-restraint (mauna), purity practices (snāna), and vow-keeping (vrata) as ideal disciplines—virtues a king or householder adopts to maintain dharma, especially in times of crisis.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it foregrounds snāna (ablution) and vrata observance as foundational disciplines; it does not give Vāstu rules directly but supports the purity framework that underlies temple and ritual procedure.