Shloka 32

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

Devanagari script

युगान्तवाताभिहता यदा भवति नौर् नृप शृङ्गे ऽस्मिन्मम राजेन्द्र तदेमां संयमिष्यसि //

Transliteration

yugāntavātābhihatā yadā bhavati naur nṛpa śṛṅge 'sminmama rājendra tademāṃ saṃyamiṣyasi //

Translation

O king, when the boat is struck by the end-of-the-age winds, then, O best of kings, you shall secure it to this horn of mine.

Word by Word

• युगान्त (yugānta): end of the age

• वात (vāta): wind

• अभिहता (abhihatā): struck, battered

• यदा (yadā): when

• भवति (bhavati): becomes, happens

• नौः/नौर् (nauḥ/naur): boat

• नृप (nṛpa): O king

• शृङ्गे (śṛṅge): on the horn

• अस्मिन् (asmin): on this

• मम (mama): of me, my

• राजेन्द्र (rājendra): O king of kings

• तत् (tat): then

• एताम्/एमाम् (etām/emām): this (boat)

• संयमिष्यसि (saṃyamiṣyasi): you will fasten, restrain, secure.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu as the Fish)

Entities Mentioned

• Lord Matsya
• Vaivasvata Manu

Tags

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

FAQs

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

It describes Pralaya as a cataclysm driven by “end-of-the-age winds,” during which the survival-boat is violently battered and must be secured for preservation.

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

It portrays the ideal king (Manu) as disciplined and obedient to dharmic instruction—acting promptly to safeguard life and order by following the divine command to secure the vessel.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No explicit Vastu or temple-ritual rule appears; the practical takeaway is logistical preparedness—securing and stabilizing a conveyance during crisis, a common Purana motif of ordered action amid cosmic upheaval.