Shloka 14

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

Devanagari script

एवमुक्तो ऽब्रवीद् राजा प्रणम्य स पितामहम् एकम् एवाहम् इच्छामि त्वत्तो वरमनुत्तमम् //

Transliteration

evamukto 'bravīd rājā praṇamya sa pitāmaham ekam evāham icchāmi tvatto varamanuttamam //

Translation

Thus addressed, the king spoke—having bowed to Pitāmaha (Brahmā): “From you I seek one boon alone—the unsurpassed boon.”

Word by Word

• evam: thus

• uktaḥ: having been addressed/spoken to

• abravīt: said, spoke

• rājā: the king

• praṇamya: having bowed, after paying obeisance

• sa: he

• pitāmaham: to Pitāmaha (Brahmā, the Grandfather)

• ekam eva: one alone

• aham: I

• icchāmi: desire, seek

• tvattaḥ: from you

• varam: a boon

• anuttamam: unsurpassed, supreme

Speaker

• The King (commonly identified in this opening dialogue as Vaivasvata Manu in the Matsya Purana tradition)

Entities Mentioned

• Pitāmaha (Brahmā)

Tags

• Matsya–Manu Dialogue
• Pralaya
• Boon
• Bhakti (Reverence)
• Puranic Narrative

FAQs

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

It sets the narrative frame for the Pralaya episode: the king, after receiving instruction, prepares to request a decisive “supreme boon,” which in the surrounding story relates to protection and right conduct amid cosmic upheaval.

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

The king models rajadharma through humility and proper protocol—bowing before the cosmic elder (Brahmā) and seeking guidance/boons for righteous governance rather than for mere personal gain.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vastu or temple-architecture rule appears in this verse; its ritual takeaway is the act of praṇāma (reverential bowing) before making a formal petition in a sacred dialogue.