Shloka 12

Matsya Purana — The Advent of Narasiṃha and Hiraṇyakaśipu’s Weapon-Assault

Devanagari script

प्रजापतिश्चात्र मनुर् महात्मा ग्रहाश्च योगाश्च महीरुहाश्च उत्पातकालश्च धृतिर्मतिश्च रतिश्च सत्यं च तपो दमश्च //

Transliteration

prajāpatiścātra manur mahātmā grahāśca yogāśca mahīruhāśca utpātakālaśca dhṛtirmatiśca ratiśca satyaṃ ca tapo damaśca //

Translation

Here are spoken of Prajāpati and the great-souled Manu; the planets (grahas) and the sacred disciplines (yogas); the trees of the earth; the times of portents; and also steadfastness, understanding, desire, truth, austerity, and self-restraint.

Word by Word

• prajāpatiḥ: Prajapati (lord of creatures)

• ca: and

• atra: here/in this context

• manuḥ: Manu

• mahātmā: great-souled/noble

• grahāḥ: planets/seizers (astral forces)

• ca: and

• yogāḥ: yogas/spiritual disciplines/unions

• ca: and

• mahī-ruhāḥ: earth-growing ones, trees

• ca: and

• utpāta-kālaḥ: time/season of omens and portents

• ca: and

• dhṛtiḥ: steadfastness/fortitude

• matiḥ: intellect/understanding

• ca: and

• ratiḥ: desire/attachment/delight

• ca: and

• satyam: truth

• ca: and

• tapaḥ: austerity/ascetic heat

• damaḥ: self-control/restraint

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Prajapati
• Manu
• Grahāḥ (planets)
• Yogāḥ (yogic disciplines)
• Mahīruhāḥ (trees)
• Utpāta (omens/portents)
• Dhṛti (fortitude)
• Mati (intellect)
• Rati (desire)
• Satya (truth)
• Tapaḥ (austerity)
• Dama (self-restraint)

Tags

• Cosmology
• Puranic Enumeration
• Dharma
• Yoga
• Jyotisha

FAQs

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

Rather than describing Pralaya directly, the verse lists key beings, cosmic forces (grahas), and moral qualities (satya, tapaḥ, dama) that structure the ordered world—implying the components that are preserved, taught, or re-established across cosmic cycles.

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

It highlights kingly and household virtues central to Matsya Purana’s dharma tone—truthfulness (satya), austerity/discipline (tapaḥ), self-control (dama), fortitude (dhṛti), and sound judgment (mati)—as the ethical foundation for governance and daily conduct.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or temple-building rule is stated, but the inclusion of grahas (astral factors) and utpāta-kāla (omen-times) points to the ritual principle of choosing auspicious times and accounting for planetary/omen considerations when planning ceremonies and major undertakings.