Shloka 2

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

Devanagari script

नारायणं नमस्कृत्य नरं चैव नरोत्तमम् देवीं सरस्वतीं चैव ततो जयम् उदीरयेत् //

Transliteration

nārāyaṇaṃ namaskṛtya naraṃ caiva narottamam devīṃ sarasvatīṃ caiva tato jayam udīrayet //

Translation

Having bowed to Nārāyaṇa, to Nara—the best of men—and also to Goddess Sarasvatī, one should then pronounce the word “Jaya” (Victory) and begin.

Word by Word

• नारायणम्: Nārāyaṇa (Viṣṇu)

• नमस्कृत्य: having saluted/bowed to

• नरम्: Nara

• च एव: and indeed/also

• नरोत्तमम्: the best of men (Narottama)

• देवीम्: the Goddess

• सरस्वतीम्: Sarasvatī

• च एव: and also

• ततः: then/thereafter

• जयम्: victory / the utterance 'Jaya'

• उदीरयेत्: one should utter/recite/pronounce

Speaker

• Narratorial voice (traditional Purāṇic redactor/reciter invoking auspiciousness before the discourse)

Entities Mentioned

• Narayana
• Nara
• Narottama
• Sarasvati

Tags

• Invocation
• Mangala
• Sarasvati
• Recitation
• Purana

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya directly; it is an auspicious invocation establishing divine support and clarity of speech before the Matsya Purana’s teachings (which later include the Great Flood/Pralaya narrative).

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

It models dharmic conduct: beginning any sacred study or undertaking with reverence (namaskāra) and seeking Sarasvatī’s guidance—an ideal discipline for both rulers and householders before making decisions or performing rites.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it functions as a mangala-ācaraṇa (opening benediction) used before recitation; while not a Vāstu rule itself, it frames later Matsya Purana material on temple-building and ritual procedure by emphasizing auspicious commencement.