Shloka 34

Matsya Purana — Nārāyaṇa as Haṃsa in the Cosmic Ocean: Vedic Yajña-Puruṣa and Mārkaṇḍeya’s Vi...

Devanagari script

स चिन्तयंस्तथैकान्ते स्थित्वा सलिलसंनिधौ पूर्वदृष्टमिदं मेने शङ्कितो देवमायया //

Transliteration

sa cintayaṃstathaikānte sthitvā salilasaṃnidhau pūrvadṛṣṭamidaṃ mene śaṅkito devamāyayā //

Translation

Thus, pondering in solitude and standing near the water, he took this to be something he had foreseen before—yet, unsettled, he suspected it to be the divine illusion (māyā) of the Lord.

Word by Word

• स (sa): he

• चिन्तयन् (cintayan): thinking, reflecting

• तथा (tathā): thus

• एकान्ते (ekānte): in solitude

• स्थित्वा (sthitvā): having stood/remaining

• सलिल-संनिधौ (salila-saṃnidhau): in the vicinity of water

• पूर्व-दृष्टम् (pūrva-dṛṣṭam): previously seen/foreseen

• इदम् (idam): this

• मेने (mene): considered, believed

• शङ्कितः (śaṅkitaḥ): doubtful, apprehensive

• देव-मायया (deva-māyayā): by the Lord’s divine māyā/illusion.

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) describing Vaivasvata Manu’s state of mind within the Matsya-Avatara episode

Entities Mentioned

• Vaivasvata Manu
• Deva (the Lord)
• Maya (divine illusion)

Tags

• Pralaya
• Matsya Avatara
• Manu
• Divine Maya
• Omens

FAQs

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

It shows the psychological prelude to Pralaya: Manu senses a familiar, foreseen sign near the waters and suspects a divine orchestration (deva-māyā) behind the unfolding events.

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

It models prudent discernment: a ruler/householder should reflect privately, assess signs carefully, and recognize that extraordinary events may require humility before divine order rather than impulsive action.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or ritual rule is stated; the main takeaway is the motif of “salila-saṃnidhau” (near water), often treated in Purāṇic contexts as a liminal, omen-bearing setting for vows, contemplation, and major turning points.