Shloka 55

Matsya Purana — Inquiry into Yayāti’s Story and the Kacha–Devayānī Episode

Devanagari script

न निवर्तेत्पुनर्जीवन् कश्चिदन्यो ममोदरात् ब्राह्मणं वर्जयित्वैकं तस्माद्विद्याम् अवाप्नुहि //

Transliteration

na nivartetpunarjīvan kaścidanyo mamodarāt brāhmaṇaṃ varjayitvaikaṃ tasmādvidyām avāpnuhi //

Translation

No one else will return alive from within my belly—except for a single brāhmaṇa. Therefore, obtain (and preserve) the sacred knowledge.

Word by Word

• na: not

• nivartet: would return/come back

• punar: again

• jīvan: alive

• kaścit: anyone

• anyaḥ: other

• mama-udarāt: from my belly/from within me

• brāhmaṇam: a brāhmaṇa

• varjayitvā: excepting/leaving aside

• ekam: one (single)

• tasmāt: therefore

• vidyām: knowledge/sacred learning

• avāpnuhi: obtain/secure (imperative).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) addressing Vaivasvata Manu

Entities Mentioned

• Lord Matsya (implicit via 'my belly')
• Vaivasvata Manu (contextual addressee)
• Brāhmaṇa

Tags

• Pralaya
• Matsya Avatara
• Vedic Knowledge
• Manu
• Dharma

FAQs

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

It implies a Pralaya-like catastrophe where survival is rare, and emphasizes that continuity after the deluge depends on preserving sacred knowledge through a protected survivor.

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

It frames a ruler’s (and responsible person’s) duty as protecting dharma by safeguarding learning and transmitting it—especially in times of crisis—rather than focusing only on physical survival.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or temple-building rule appears in this verse; its ritual takeaway is the imperative to preserve and transmit vidyā (sacred learning), which underlies correct rites and tradition.