Shloka 26

Matsya Purana — The Greatness and Procedure of the Aṅgāra

Devanagari script

माहात्म्यं च विधिं तस्य यथावद्वक्तुमर्हसि इति तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा पुनः प्रोवाच विस्तरात् //

Transliteration

māhātmyaṃ ca vidhiṃ tasya yathāvadvaktumarhasi iti tadvacanaṃ śrutvā punaḥ provāca vistarāt //

Translation

“You ought to explain, in the proper manner, both its greatness and its prescribed procedure (vidhi).” Hearing these words, he again spoke at length.

Word by Word

• माहात्म्यम्: greatness, sacred significance

• च: and

• विधिम्: procedure, prescribed rule

• तस्य: of that (rite/topic)

• यथावत्: correctly, in due order

• वक्तुम्: to speak, to explain

• अर्हसि: you are fit/ought (to)

• इति: thus

• तत्-वचनम्: that statement/these words

• श्रुत्वा: having heard

• पुनः: again

• प्रोवाच: spoke forth, replied

• विस्तरात्: in detail, at length

Speaker

• Vaivasvata Manu (requesting); response introduced for Lord Matsya (about to explain)

Entities Mentioned

• Vaivasvata Manu
• Lord Matsya (implied respondent)

Tags

• Pralaya
• Matsya-Manu dialogue
• Vidhi
• Mahatmya
• Puranic instruction

FAQs

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

Indirectly, it shows the Purāṇic teaching method used in the Pralaya narrative: Manu requests both the ‘māhātmya’ (spiritual significance) and the ‘vidhi’ (correct procedure), after which the divine speaker explains in detail.

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

It models dhārmic conduct: a ruler like Manu seeks precise guidance—both meaning and method—before acting, reflecting the ideal of informed, rule-based practice rather than impulsive ritual or governance.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The verse emphasizes a standard Purāṇic framework used also in Vastu/ritual topics: instructions should include (1) vidhi—step-by-step rules, and (2) māhātmya—why the act is sacred and what benefits or results it yields.