Shloka 16

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

Devanagari script

एवमस्त्विति विश्वात्मा तत्रैवान्तरधीयत पुष्पवृष्टिः सुमहती खात्पपात सुरार्पिता //

Transliteration

evamastviti viśvātmā tatraivāntaradhīyata puṣpavṛṣṭiḥ sumahatī khātpapāta surārpitā //

Translation

Saying, “So be it,” the Universal Self (the Lord) vanished from that very spot; and then a very great shower of flowers, offered by the gods, fell down from the sky.

Word by Word

• evam: thus

• astu: let it be/so be it

• iti: thus (quoting)

• viśvātmā: the Universal Self, the all-pervading Lord

• tatra eva: right there, in that very place

• antaradhīyata: disappeared, became invisible

• puṣpa-vṛṣṭiḥ: a rain/shower of flowers

• su-mahatī: exceedingly great

• khāt: from the sky

• papāta: fell down

• sura-arpitā: offered/presented by the gods (devas).

Speaker

• Suta/Narrator (describing Lord Matsya/Vishnu’s action in the dialogue context with Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Vishnu (as Viśvātmā/Lord Matsya)
• Devas (Suras)

Tags

• Pralaya
• Matsya Avatara
• Divine Epiphany
• Devas
• Blessing/Anugraha

FAQs

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

It signals divine sanction and transition: after granting assent (“evam astu”), the Lord disappears, marking a turning point in the unfolding pralaya-related narrative.

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

It highlights obedience to divine instruction and faith in dharma: Manu (as the exemplary ruler/householder) receives guidance, and the Lord’s assent implies that righteous compliance is affirmed and protected.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The puṣpavṛṣṭi (flower-shower) is a standard ritual/auspicious marker of divine approval—mirroring temple and yajña traditions where flowers indicate consecration, blessing, and successful completion of a sacred act.