Shloka 43

Matsya Purana — The Cave-Sanctuary: Jewel-Lake

Devanagari script

देववापीजलैः कुर्वन् सततं प्राणधारणम् सर्वाहारपरित्यागं कृत्वा तु मनुजेश्वरः //

Transliteration

devavāpījalaiḥ kurvan satataṃ prāṇadhāraṇam sarvāhāraparityāgaṃ kṛtvā tu manujeśvaraḥ //

Translation

Using only the water of the consecrated divine reservoir (devavāpī), Manu, lord among men, continually sustained his vital breath, having wholly renounced all food.

Word by Word

• देववापी-जलैः: with the waters of a divine/temple tank

• कुर्वन्: doing, undertaking

• सततम्: continually, always

• प्राण-धारणम्: sustaining/retaining the life-breath (breath-discipline)

• सर्व-आहार-परित्यागम्: complete renunciation of all food

• कृत्वा: having done, having undertaken

• तु: indeed/then

• मनुज-ईश्वरः: the lord of men (the king, Manu)

Speaker

• Sūta (narrating) within the Matsya–Manu discourse; the verse describes Vaivasvata Manu’s practice

Entities Mentioned

• Vaivasvata Manu
• Devavāpī (consecrated tank)

Tags

• Pralaya
• Tapas
• Prāṇāyāma
• Dharma
• Ritual Purity

FAQs

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

It emphasizes survival through tapas and disciplined breath (prāṇadhāraṇa) rather than ordinary sustenance—an ascetic response associated with the Pralaya setting and Manu’s preservation role.

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

It portrays the ideal ruler (Manu) mastering self-control—fasting and breath-discipline—showing that royal dharma includes inner governance (restraint, endurance) alongside outer governance.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The mention of devavāpī points to ritually sanctioned water sources (temple tanks/holy reservoirs), highlighting the importance of consecrated water in purification and austerity practices—relevant to sacred site planning and ritual ecology.