Shloka 5

Matsya Purana — Ila–Sudyumna Episode and the Expansion of the Ikṣvāku

Devanagari script

किमित्येतदभूच्चित्रं वद योगविदां वर वसिष्ठश्चाब्रवीत् सर्वं दृष्ट्वा तद्ध्यानचक्षुषा //

Transliteration

kimityetadabhūccitraṃ vada yogavidāṃ vara vasiṣṭhaścābravīt sarvaṃ dṛṣṭvā taddhyānacakṣuṣā //

Translation

“Why did this wondrous thing occur? Tell me, O best among the knowers of Yoga.” Then Vasiṣṭha, having beheld everything with the eye of meditative insight, spoke and explained it all.

Word by Word

• kim: why?

• iti: thus

• etat: this

• abhūt: happened/occurred

• citram: wondrous, astonishing

• vada: tell (me)

• yogavidām: of the knowers of yoga

• vara: best/excellent one

• vasiṣṭhaḥ: Vasiṣṭha

• ca: and

• abravīt: said/spoke

• sarvam: everything/all

• dṛṣṭvā: having seen

• tat: that

• dhyāna: meditation

• cakṣuṣā: with the eye/vision (instrumental)

Speaker

• Narrator (describing a question addressed to Vasiṣṭha, followed by Vasiṣṭha’s response)

Entities Mentioned

• Vasiṣṭha

Tags

• Yoga
• Dhyana
• Rishi
• Vision
• Inquiry

FAQs

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

This verse does not directly describe Pralaya; it highlights yogic perception (dhyāna-cakṣu) as the means by which a sage can “see” the truth behind extraordinary events—often the method used in Purāṇic accounts of cosmic change.

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

It models the dharmic approach to governance and life: when confronted with puzzling events, one should seek counsel from realized sages (yogavids) and rely on clarified insight rather than speculation—an ethical principle frequently reinforced in the Matsya Purana.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or ritual rule is stated here; the takeaway is methodological—authoritative instruction (including temple-ritual and Vāstu guidance elsewhere in the Matsya Purana) is grounded in a seer’s disciplined insight and verified vision.