Shloka 100

Matsya Purana — Narasimha’s Victory over Hiraṇyakaśipu and the Catalogue of Apocalyptic Omens

Devanagari script

परं शरीरं परमं च ब्रह्म परं च योगं परमां च वाणीम् परं रहस्यं परमां गतिं च त्वामाहुरग्र्यं पुरुषं पुराणम् //

Transliteration

paraṃ śarīraṃ paramaṃ ca brahma paraṃ ca yogaṃ paramāṃ ca vāṇīm paraṃ rahasyaṃ paramāṃ gatiṃ ca tvāmāhuragryaṃ puruṣaṃ purāṇam //

Translation

You are declared to be the supreme Body, the supreme Brahman; the highest Yoga and the highest sacred utterance. You are the supreme secret and the supreme Goal—men proclaim you as the foremost, primeval Person (the Ancient Puruṣa).

Word by Word

• param: supreme, highest

• śarīram: body/form

• paramam: highest

• brahma: Brahman, Absolute Reality

• yogaṃ: yoga, the means of union/discipline

• paramām: highest

• vāṇīm: speech, sacred utterance (Veda/mantra)

• rahasyam: secret, esoteric truth

• gatim: goal, final refuge

• tvām: you

• āhuḥ: (they) say, proclaim

• agryam: foremost, pre-eminent

• puruṣam: Person, Cosmic Person

• purāṇam: ancient, primeval

Speaker

• Likely a devotee/narrator within the Matsya Purana’s discourse (stuti addressed to the Supreme Puruṣa, identifiable with Lord Viṣṇu/Matsya as the supreme refuge)

Entities Mentioned

• Brahman
• Puruṣa (Purāṇa-Puruṣa)
• Vāṇī (Vedic speech/mantra)
• Yoga

Tags

• Vishnu-Stuti
• Brahman
• Yoga
• Moksha
• Puranic Theology

FAQs

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

Indirectly, it presents the Supreme Puruṣa as the ultimate reality and refuge beyond all change—implying that even through pralaya, the highest Brahman and final goal remain the same.

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

It frames dharma and disciplined living (yoga) as oriented toward the highest goal (paramā gati). For kings and householders, righteous action and self-control are meant to culminate in devotion and realization of the Supreme Person.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, “paramā vāṇī” points to mantra/Vedic utterance as supreme—highlighting that correct sacred speech is central to worship and consecration rites, even when no specific Vāstu or temple rule is stated in this verse.