Shloka 25

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

Devanagari script

यदा समुद्रमखिलं व्याप्यासौ समुपस्थितः तदा प्राह मनुर्भीतः को ऽपि त्वमसुरेश्वरः //

Transliteration

yadā samudramakhilaṃ vyāpyāsau samupasthitaḥ tadā prāha manurbhītaḥ ko 'pi tvamasureśvaraḥ //

Translation

When he expanded to pervade the entire ocean and stood before him, the frightened Manu spoke: “Who indeed are you, O lord of the Asuras?”

Word by Word

• yadā: when

• samudram: the ocean

• akhilam: entirely, whole

• vyāpya: having pervaded/filled

• asau: he (that being)

• samupasthitaḥ: appeared/was present/stood near

• tadā: then

• prāha: said/spoke

• manuḥ: Manu (Vaivasvata Manu)

• bhītaḥ: frightened

• kaḥ api: who indeed/what being

• tvam: you

• asura-īśvaraḥ: lord of the Asuras (a powerful overlord-like being, as addressed by Manu in fear)

Speaker

• Vaivasvata Manu

Entities Mentioned

• Vaivasvata Manu
• Ocean (Samudra)
• Matsya (implied as the being who expanded)

Tags

• Pralaya
• Matsya Avatara
• Great Flood
• Manu
• Divine Epiphany

FAQs

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

It signals the approach of Pralaya through an overwhelming, ocean-filling manifestation—an early marker of the cosmic deluge setting in, before the divine identity is disclosed.

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

Manu’s fearful inquiry models prudent discernment in crisis: a ruler/householder should assess extraordinary events and seek truthful identification and guidance rather than act rashly.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vastu or ritual procedure is stated directly in this verse; its significance is narrative—establishing the Pralaya context that later frames dharma, rites, and (elsewhere in the Purana) temple/settlement guidelines.