Shloka 4

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

Devanagari script

सूतमेकाग्रमासीनं नैमिषारण्यवासिनः मुनयो दीर्घसत्त्रान्ते पप्रच्छुर् दीर्घसंहिताम् //

Transliteration

sūtamekāgramāsīnaṃ naimiṣāraṇyavāsinaḥ munayo dīrghasattrānte papracchur dīrghasaṃhitām //

Translation

At the close of a long sacrificial session, the sages dwelling in Naimiṣāraṇya questioned Sūta, who was seated with focused attention, about the extensive sacred compendium.

Word by Word

sūtamSūta (the narrator)

ekāgramwith one-pointed attention, fully focused

āsīnamseated

naimiṣāraṇya-vāsinaḥresiding in Naimiṣāraṇya

munayaḥsages

dīrgha-sattrānteat the end of a long sattra (extended sacrificial session)

papracchuḥasked, inquired

dīrgha-saṃhitāmthe long/large compendium (extended tradition/text), i.e., the Purāṇic discourse

Speaker

Narrator (Purāṇic frame voice introducing the sages’ inquiry to Sūta)

Entities Mentioned

SutaNaimisharanyaMunisSattra (sacrificial session)

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya directly; it establishes the setting—sages at Naimiṣāraṇya formally initiating inquiry into an extensive Purāṇic teaching, which later includes creation and dissolution themes.

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

Indirectly: it models dharmic learning—after completing a major rite (sattra), the sages seek authoritative instruction from Sūta, reflecting the Purāṇic ideal that rulers and householders should consult learned tradition to ground conduct in Dharma.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it highlights the sattra (a prolonged Vedic sacrificial session) and the disciplined transition from ritual performance to scriptural inquiry—an important Purāṇic pattern that later supports topics like ritual procedure and Vastu/temple norms.