Shloka 3

Matsya Purana — Intermediate Dissolution

Devanagari script

*मत्स्य उवाच अद्यप्रभृत्यनावृष्टिर् भविष्यति महीतले यावद्वर्षशतं साग्रं दुर्भिक्षम् अशुभावहम् //

Transliteration

*matsya uvāca adyaprabhṛtyanāvṛṣṭir bhaviṣyati mahītale yāvadvarṣaśataṃ sāgraṃ durbhikṣam aśubhāvaham //

Translation

Matsya said: “From today onward there will be no rainfall upon the earth; for a full hundred years and more, a dire famine—bringing inauspiciousness—will arise.”

Word by Word

• मत्स्य उवाच: Matsya said

• अद्यप्रभृति: from today onward

• अनावृष्टिः: absence of rain/drought

• भविष्यति: will occur/will be

• महीतले: on the surface of the earth

• यावत्: for as long as/until

• वर्षशतम्: a hundred years

• साग्रम्: with an additional part/more (and beyond)

• दुर्भिक्षम्: famine/scarcity of food

• अशुभावहम्: bringing misfortune/inauspicious results

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Fish incarnation of Vishnu)

Entities Mentioned

• Matsya

Tags

• Pralaya
• Drought
• Famine
• Matsya-Avatara
• Manu-Narrative

FAQs

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

It presents drought (anāvṛṣṭi) and prolonged famine (durbhikṣa) as precursory calamities—warning-signs that the world is moving toward a great disruptive phase associated with pralaya-type events.

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

By forecasting long scarcity, it implies the need for dharmic preparedness—grain storage, protection of people and livestock, and orderly governance—core responsibilities of rulers and householders in Purāṇic ethics during crisis.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or temple-rule is stated; the practical takeaway is ritual and civic preparedness during calamity (e.g., protective rites, conservation, and planning for survival), which later chapters often connect to orderly settlement and resource management.