Shloka 1

Matsya Purana — The Glory of Prayaga: Pilgrimage

Devanagari script

*युधिष्ठिर उवाच भगवञ्छ्रोतुमिच्छामि पुरा कल्पे यथास्थितम् ब्रह्मणा देवमुख्येन यथावत्कथितं मुने //

Transliteration

*yudhiṣṭhira uvāca bhagavañchrotumicchāmi purā kalpe yathāsthitam brahmaṇā devamukhyena yathāvatkathitaṃ mune //

Translation

Yudhiṣṭhira said: “O Blessed one, I wish to hear how things stood in the former aeon (kalpa)—exactly as it was rightly narrated by Brahmā, the foremost among the gods, O sage.”

Word by Word

• yudhiṣṭhiraḥ uvāca: Yudhiṣṭhira said

• bhagavan: O Blessed one/Lord

• śrotum icchāmi: I desire to hear

• purā kalpe: in the former kalpa/ancient aeon

• yathā-sthitam: as it was situated/as it truly was

• brahmaṇā: by Brahmā

• deva-mukhyena: by the chief among the gods

• yathāvat: correctly/in due manner

• kathitam: narrated/told

• mune: O sage

Speaker

• Yudhiṣṭhira

Entities Mentioned

• Yudhiṣṭhira
• Brahmā

Tags

• Kalpa
• Cosmology
• Puranic Dialogue
• Creation Account
• Transmission of Tradition

FAQs

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

It frames the inquiry into an earlier kalpa (aeon), implying a cyclic cosmos where worlds recur across successive creations and dissolutions, and that an authoritative account is preserved through Brahmā’s narration.

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

A king like Yudhiṣṭhira models dharmic leadership by seeking accurate śāstric knowledge from sages; right governance and household conduct are grounded in listening to authentic teachings and tradition.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct vāstu or ritual rule appears in this verse; it serves as a prologue establishing the reliable lineage of instruction—an important Purāṇic principle used before presenting technical topics like rites, temple rules, or cosmology.