Shloka 2

Matsya Purana — Intermediate Dissolution

Devanagari script

सत्त्वानि च कथं नाथ रक्षिष्ये मधुसूदन त्वया सह पुनर्योगः कथं वा भविता मम //

Transliteration

sattvāni ca kathaṃ nātha rakṣiṣye madhusūdana tvayā saha punaryogaḥ kathaṃ vā bhavitā mama //

Translation

“O Lord, O Madhusūdana—how shall I protect these living beings? And how, indeed, will my reunion with you come about again?”

Word by Word

• सत्त्वानि (sattvāni): living beings, creatures

• च (ca): and

• कथम् (katham): how?

• नाथ (nātha): O Lord, protector

• रक्षिष्ये (rakṣiṣye): shall I protect?

• मधुसूदन (madhusūdana): slayer of Madhu (epithet of Viṣṇu)

• त्वया (tvayā): with you

• सह (saha): together/along with

• पुनर्योगः (punaryogaḥ): union again, reunion

• कथम् (katham): how?

• वा (vā): indeed/or

• भविता (bhavitā): will occur/will come to be

• मम (mama): for me/mine

Speaker

• Vaivasvata Manu

Entities Mentioned

• Madhusudana (Vishnu/Lord Matsya)

Tags

• Pralaya
• Lord Matsya and King Manu story
• Dharma
• Protection of beings
• Divine guidance

FAQs

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

It reflects the crisis of Pralaya: Manu anticipates a catastrophic dissolution and seeks divine instruction on safeguarding living beings through the deluge.

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

Manu voices the core dharmic duty of a ruler/guardian—protection of subjects and beings—while acknowledging that successful protection requires alignment with divine guidance rather than mere human capacity.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or ritual procedure is stated in this verse; its significance is devotional and ethical—seeking the Lord’s method and timing for protection and reunion.