Shloka 102

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

Devanagari script

परं परस्यापि परं रहस्यं परं परस्यापि परं महत्त्वम् परं परस्यापि परं महद्यत् त्वामाहुरग्र्यं पुरुषं पुराणम् //

Transliteration

paraṃ parasyāpi paraṃ rahasyaṃ paraṃ parasyāpi paraṃ mahattvam paraṃ parasyāpi paraṃ mahadyat tvāmāhuragryaṃ puruṣaṃ purāṇam //

Translation

You are the supreme mystery even beyond the supreme; you are the highest greatness even beyond the highest. You are the transcendent ‘Great’ beyond all greatness—therefore the sages call you the foremost, primeval Person (Puruṣa), the Ancient One.

Word by Word

• param: supreme, highest

• parasyāpi: even beyond the higher/other

• rahasyam: secret, mystery

• mahattvam: greatness, majesty

• mahat: the Great principle / the great (cosmic)

• yat: which/that

• tvām: you

• āhuḥ: (they) say/call

• agryam: foremost, preeminent

• puruṣam: Person, Cosmic Person

• purāṇam: ancient, primeval

Speaker

• Vaivasvata Manu (or a praising interlocutor addressing Lord Matsya/Vishnu in the Matsya Purana’s dialogue frame)

Entities Mentioned

• Puruṣa
• Paramātman
• Lord Matsya
• Vishnu

Tags

• Stuti
• Paramatman
• Puruṣa
• Tattva
• Matsya Purana

FAQs

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

It frames the Supreme Puruṣa as transcendent beyond all categories (even “the Great”), implying that creation and pralaya occur within Him, while He remains the ultimate reality beyond them.

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

By declaring a single supreme source beyond all greatness, it supports the Matsya Purana’s ethical teaching that royal and household duties should be performed as dharma rooted in devotion and surrender to the highest Puruṣa.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or iconographic rule is stated; ritually, it functions as a stuti-mantra establishing the deity as the supreme principle—an appropriate preface for pūjā, consecration, and temple worship in the Purāṇic mode.