Shloka 20

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

Devanagari script

स तमादाय मणिके प्राक्षिपज्जलचारिणम् तत्रापि चैकरात्रेण हस्तत्रयम् अवर्धत //

Transliteration

sa tamādāya maṇike prākṣipajjalacāriṇam tatrāpi caikarātreṇa hastatrayam avardhata //

Translation

Taking that water-moving creature, he placed it into a jar; yet even there, within a single night, it grew by three hand-spans.

Word by Word

• saḥ: he (Manu)

• tam: that (fish)

• ādāya: having taken

• maṇike: in a jar/pitcher (small vessel)

• prākṣipat: threw/placed

• jalacāriṇam: the water-roaming one (fish)

• tatra api: even there

• ca: and

• eka-rātreṇa: within one night

• hasta-trayam: three hand-spans

• avardhata: grew/increased in size

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) describing Vaivasvata Manu’s action in the Matsya Avatara episode

Entities Mentioned

• Vaivasvata Manu
• Matsya (the fish form of Vishnu)

Tags

• Pralaya
• Matsya Avatara
• Miracle
• Manu
• Purana Narrative

FAQs

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

It signals an impending cosmic-scale event: the fish’s rapid, supernatural growth foreshadows the vastness of the coming deluge (Pralaya) and the need for Manu’s preparedness.

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

Manu’s careful relocation of the creature into a safer vessel reflects the dharmic duty of protection and stewardship—responding responsibly to what is entrusted to one’s care.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vastu or ritual procedure is taught in this verse; the focus is narrative symbolism—containment (a jar) proves insufficient for the divine, indicating the need for a larger, properly prepared refuge later in the story.