Shloka 5

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

Devanagari script

प्रवृत्तासु पुराणीषु धर्म्यासु ललितासु च कथासु शौनकाद्यास् तु अभिनन्द्य मुहुर्मुहुः //

Transliteration

pravṛttāsu purāṇīṣu dharmyāsu lalitāsu ca kathāsu śaunakādyās tu abhinandya muhurmuhuḥ //

Translation

As the Purāṇic narratives began—righteous in purport and delightful in expression—Śaunaka and the other sages repeatedly offered their approval and praise.

Word by Word

pravṛttāsuwhen (they) had commenced/when set in motion

purāṇīṣuin the Purāṇas/in Purāṇic accounts

dharmyāsuin those that teach dharma/righteous

lalitāsucharming, graceful, pleasing

caand

kathāsuin the stories/discourses

śaunaka-ādyāḥŚaunaka and others (the sages)

tuindeed/then

abhinandyahaving applauded, having expressed approval

muhuḥ-muhuḥagain and again, repeatedly

Speaker

Sūta (the narrator, commonly Sūta Ugraśravas) describing the sages’ response

Entities Mentioned

ŚaunakaSages (Ṛṣis)

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya directly; it establishes the Purāṇic setting, emphasizing that the coming narration is dharmic and pleasing, and that the sages endorse it.

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

Indirectly, it frames the Purāṇa as “dharmya”—a trusted source for dharma—implying that kings and householders should learn and apply ethical guidance from such sanctioned teachings.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or ritual procedure is specified here; the verse functions as a narrative transition showing formal approval of the discourse—an element of traditional recitation culture that precedes technical teachings later in the Matsya Purana.