Shloka 30

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

Devanagari script

नौर् इयं सर्वदेवानां निकायेन विनिर्मिता महाजीवनिकायस्य रक्षणार्थं महीपते //

Transliteration

naur iyaṃ sarvadevānāṃ nikāyena vinirmitā mahājīvanikāyasya rakṣaṇārthaṃ mahīpate //

Translation

O king, this boat has been fashioned by the assembled host of all the gods for the protection of the great multitude of living beings.

Word by Word

• naus (naur): boat

• iyaṃ: this

• sarva-devānām: of all the gods

• nikāyena: by the assemblage/collective body

• vinirmitā: constructed, fashioned

• mahā-jīvanikāyasya: of the great aggregation of living beings

• rakṣaṇa-artham: for the purpose of protection

• mahīpate: O lord of the earth, O king

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) addressing Vaivasvata Manu

Entities Mentioned

• Sarvadevas (all the gods)
• Nau (the boat)
• Mahājīvanikāya (multitude of living beings)
• Mahīpati (the King—Vaivasvata Manu)

Tags

• Pralaya
• MatsyaAvatara
• DivineProtection
• Manu
• GreatFlood

FAQs

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

It frames pralaya as a cosmic crisis in which divine forces proactively arrange preservation—here, the gods collectively provide a boat to safeguard life through the deluge.

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

By addressing Manu as “mahīpati,” it implies that righteous leadership includes protecting and sustaining the community of beings, especially in times of calamity, aligning kingship with guardianship (rakṣaṇa).

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

While not a Vastu rule, the verse highlights a ritual-cosmic principle: divinely sanctioned construction (a life-preserving vessel) made for a specific dharmic purpose—protection and continuity of beings.