Shloka 3

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

Devanagari script

अजो ऽपि यः क्रियायोगान् नारायण इति स्मृतः त्रिगुणाय त्रिवेदाय नमस् तस्मै स्वयम्भुवे //

Transliteration

ajo 'pi yaḥ kriyāyogān nārāyaṇa iti smṛtaḥ triguṇāya trivedāya namas tasmai svayambhuve //

Translation

Salutation to that Self-born One—though unborn—who, through the discipline of sacred action (kriyā-yoga), is remembered as Nārāyaṇa; who is the Lord of the three guṇas and the very essence of the three Vedas.

Word by Word

• ajaḥ api: even though unborn

• yaḥ: who

• kriyā-yogāt/kriyā-yogān: through/with the yoga of ritual action and disciplined practice

• nārāyaṇaḥ: Narayana (Vishnu, the all-pervading refuge)

• iti: thus

• smṛtaḥ: is remembered/known

• triguṇāya: to (him who is) of/over the three qualities (sattva, rajas, tamas)

• trivedāya: to (him who is) the three Vedas / embodied as the Vedic triad

• namaḥ: salutations

• tasmai: to him

• svayambhuve: to the Self-born (Svayambhu).

Speaker

• Suta Goswami (invocatory narrator voice typical of Purana openings)

Entities Mentioned

• Narayana
• Svayambhu
• Triguṇa
• Triveda

Tags

• Invocation
• Narayana
• Vedic theology
• Guṇas
• Kriyā-yoga

FAQs

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

It frames the supreme principle behind creation and dissolution as the Self-born, unborn Nārāyaṇa—beyond birth yet manifesting through ordered sacred action—implying Pralaya and creation occur under his transcendent governance.

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

By praising Nārāyaṇa as known through kriyā-yoga, it elevates disciplined ritual action and duty (dharma) as a valid path—supporting the king’s and householder’s obligation to uphold Vedic rites, ethical order, and social stability.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The explicit term kriyā-yoga points to correct performance of rites; in Matsya Purana’s broader ritual-architectural milieu, this underwrites the necessity of precise procedure (vidhi) in consecrations, temple rituals, and other regulated sacred acts.