Shloka 19

Matsya Purana — Intermediate Dissolution

Devanagari script

भुजंगरज्ज्वा मत्स्यस्य शृङ्गे नावमयोजयत् उपर्युपस्थितस्तस्याः प्रणिपत्य जनार्दनम् //

Transliteration

bhujaṃgarajjvā matsyasya śṛṅge nāvamayojayat uparyupasthitastasyāḥ praṇipatya janārdanam //

Translation

Using the serpent as a rope, he fastened the boat to the horn of the Fish; then, standing upon it, he bowed down in reverence to Janārdana (Lord Viṣṇu).

Word by Word

• भुजंग-रज्ज्वा: with a serpent as a rope

• मत्स्यस्य: of the Fish (Matsya)

• शृङ्गे: on the horn

• नावम्: the boat

• अयोजयत्: he yoked/fastened/attached

• उपरि-उपस्थितः: standing above/upon (it)

• तस्याः: of that (boat)

• प्रणिपत्य: having bowed down/prostrated

• जनार्दनम्: to Janārdana (Viṣṇu, remover of afflictions)

Speaker

• Narrator (Sūta/Pauraṇika narration describing Manu’s action in the Matsya-Avatāra episode)

Entities Mentioned

• Matsya (Fish incarnation of Vishnu)
• Janardana (Vishnu)
• Serpent (Nāga/Śeṣa as rope)
• Boat (nau)
• Vaivasvata Manu (implied actor)

Tags

• Pralaya
• Matsya Avatara
• Manu
• Divine Protection
• Puranic Narrative

FAQs

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

It depicts the practical moment of survival during pralaya: the boat is secured to Lord Matsya’s horn with a serpent-rope, showing divine guidance and protection through cosmic dissolution.

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

Manu’s act of securing the boat and then bowing to Janārdana models disciplined action joined with devotion—an ethical ideal in the Purāṇas: perform one’s duty responsibly while recognizing divine sovereignty.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

There is no direct Vāstu or temple-rule instruction here; the ritual element is reverential submission (praṇipāta) to Viṣṇu, highlighting devotion as the proper response after undertaking protective rites/actions.