Shloka 13

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

Devanagari script

बभूव वरदश् चास्य वर्षायुतशते गते वरं वृणीष्व प्रोवाच प्रीतः स कमलासनः //

Transliteration

babhūva varadaś cāsya varṣāyutaśate gate varaṃ vṛṇīṣva provāca prītaḥ sa kamalāsanaḥ //

Translation

And after a hundred thousand years had passed, the Lotus-seated One (Brahmā), pleased with him, became a giver of boons and said: “Choose a boon.”

Word by Word

• babhūva: became

• varadaḥ: a boon-giver

• ca: and

• asya: for him/of him

• varṣa-ayuta-śate: in a hundred thousand years (100 × 10,000)

• gate: having passed/elapsed

• varam: a boon

• vṛṇīṣva: choose (for yourself)

• provāca: said/spoke

• prītaḥ: pleased/satisfied

• saḥ: he

• kamalāsanaḥ: the Lotus-seated one (Brahmā)

Speaker

• Suta (narrator), describing Brahma’s boon to Manu (contextual narrative frame)

Entities Mentioned

• Brahma
• Manu

Tags

• Pralaya
• Boons
• Tapas
• Matsya-Avatara Prelude
• Puranic Narrative

FAQs

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

It sets the prelude to the flood-cycle narrative by marking immense cosmic time and divine intervention—Brahmā’s boon becomes the narrative trigger for events leading toward the Pralaya account.

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

It highlights the Purāṇic ideal that sustained discipline (tapas) and righteous intent can legitimate authority and protection—qualities expected of a king like Manu and exemplary householders.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or temple-rule detail appears here; the ritual takeaway is the efficacy of long austerity and divine sanction (vara) as a foundation for later prescribed rites and dharmic action.