Shloka 18

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

Devanagari script

दृष्ट्वा तच्छफरीरूपं स दयालुर्महीपतिः रक्षणायाकरोद्यत्नं स तस्मिन्करकोदरे //

Transliteration

dṛṣṭvā tacchapharīrūpaṃ sa dayālurmahīpatiḥ rakṣaṇāyākarodyatnaṃ sa tasminkarakodare //

Translation

Seeing it in the form of a small fish, that compassionate king made an effort to protect it, placing it there in the hollow of his hand.

Word by Word

• दृष्ट्वा (dṛṣṭvā): having seen

• तत् (tat): that

• शफरी-रूपम् (śapharī-rūpam): having the form of a small fish

• सः (saḥ): he

• दयालुः (dayāluḥ): compassionate, merciful

• महीपतिः (mahīpatiḥ): king, lord of the earth

• रक्षणाय (rakṣaṇāya): for protection

• अकरोत् (akarot): did, made

• यत्नम् (yatnam): an effort

• सः (saḥ): he

• तस्मिन् (tasmīn): in that (place/thing)

• कर-कोदरे (kara-kodare): in the hollow/cupped space of the hand.

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) describing King Manu’s action within the Matsya-Avatara episode

Entities Mentioned

• Vaivasvata Manu
• Matsya (fish form)

Tags

• Pralaya
• Matsya-Avatara
• Compassion
• Kingship-Dharma
• Protection

FAQs

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

It sets the ethical prelude to the Pralaya narrative: Manu’s compassionate protection of the fish (Matsya) becomes the trigger for the later revelation about the coming deluge.

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

It highlights rājadhrama through dayā (compassion): a king should protect the vulnerable, even a small creature, showing readiness to shelter those seeking refuge.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or ritual procedure is stated directly; the focus is on protective conduct (rakṣaṇa) as a foundational dharmic act preceding the Matsya revelation.