Shloka 11

Matsya Purana — Prologue to the Matsya Purana and the Manu–Pralaya Rescue Narrative

Devanagari script

पुरा राजा मनुर् नाम चीर्णवान् विपुलं तपः पुत्रे राज्यं समारोप्य क्षमावान् रविनन्दनः //

Transliteration

purā rājā manur nāma cīrṇavān vipulaṃ tapaḥ putre rājyaṃ samāropya kṣamāvān ravinandanaḥ //

Translation

Long ago, a king named Manu—patient and forbearing, a descendant of the Sun—performed great austerities, having first entrusted the kingship to his son.

Word by Word

• पुरा (purā): formerly, long ago

• राजा (rājā): king

• मनुः नाम (manuḥ nāma): named Manu

• चीर्णवान् (cīrṇavān): practiced, undertook

• विपुलं (vipulaṃ): abundant, great

• तपः (tapaḥ): austerity, ascetic discipline

• पुत्रे (putre): to/for his son

• राज्यं (rājyaṃ): kingdom, sovereignty

• समारोप्य (samāropya): having installed/entrusted (placed in charge)

• क्षमावान् (kṣamāvān): patient, forgiving, forbearing

• रविनन्दनः (ravinandanaḥ): descendant of Ravi (the Sun), solar scion (Vaivasvata line).

Speaker

• Suta (Pauranika narrator) describing Vaivasvata Manu in the Matsya Purana’s opening narrative

Entities Mentioned

• Manu (Vaivasvata)
• Ravi (Surya)

Tags

• Pralaya
• Manu
• Tapas
• Kingship
• Dynasties

FAQs

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

It sets the precondition for the Pralaya narrative: Manu prepares through intense tapas after securing orderly governance, a typical lead-in to the coming deluge episode where Manu becomes the protected progenitor.

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

It models rajadharma and gṛhastha-dharma: before pursuing renunciation-like austerity, Manu responsibly transfers authority to his son, ensuring social stability rather than abandoning duty.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or temple rule is stated; the ritual takeaway is the primacy of tapas (disciplined practice) as a qualifying preparation for receiving divine guidance in the Matsya–Manu tradition.