Shloka 15

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

Devanagari script

भूतग्रामस्य सर्वस्य स्थावरस्य चरस्य च भवेयं रक्षणायालं प्रलये समुपस्थिते //

Transliteration

bhūtagrāmasya sarvasya sthāvarasya carasya ca bhaveyaṃ rakṣaṇāyālaṃ pralaye samupasthite //

Translation

When the dissolution (Pralaya) arrives, I shall be fully sufficient to protect the entire multitude of beings—both the immovable and the moving.

Word by Word

• bhūta-grāmasya: of the multitude of beings

• sarvasya: of all

• sthāvarasya: of the immovable (plants, mountains, fixed beings)

• carasya: of the moving (animals, humans, mobile beings)

• ca: and

• bhaveyam: I shall be / I will become

• rakṣaṇāya: for protection

• alam: sufficient, fully capable

• pralaye: in the dissolution, at the time of Pralaya

• samupasthite: having arrived, when it is present/imminent.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) addressing Vaivasvata Manu

Entities Mentioned

• Matsya
• Pralaya
• Bhutagrama (all beings)

Tags

• Pralaya
• Matsya Avatara
• Protection
• Cosmic Dissolution
• Manu

FAQs

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

It portrays Pralaya as a real, impending cosmic dissolution and emphasizes a divine safeguard: Lord Matsya declares Himself competent to preserve all classes of life—movable and immovable—through that cataclysm.

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

By presenting protection (rakṣaṇa) as the highest divine function in crisis, the verse mirrors the kingly ideal of guardianship and the householder’s ethic of care—preserving dependents and sustaining life when danger or disorder arises.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or ritual procedure is stated; the takeaway is thematic: preservation is prioritized over construction—establishing the protective intent that later supports temple-ritual and dharmic frameworks in the Purana.