Shloka 33

Matsya Purana — Yadu Lineage

Devanagari script

यदर्थमिह सम्भूतो विष्णुर्वृष्ण्यन्धकोत्तमः पुनः पुनर्मनुष्येषु तन्नः प्रब्रूहि पृच्छताम् //

Transliteration

yadarthamiha sambhūto viṣṇurvṛṣṇyandhakottamaḥ punaḥ punarmanuṣyeṣu tannaḥ prabrūhi pṛcchatām //

Translation

For what purpose has Viṣṇu—the foremost among the Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas—manifested here again and again among human beings? Tell us that, for we ask you.

Word by Word

• yad-artham: for what purpose

• iha: here (in this world)

• sambhūtaḥ: manifested/come into being

• viṣṇuḥ: Vishnu

• vṛṣṇi-andhaka-uttamaḥ: the सर्वोत्तम (foremost) among the Vrishnis and Andhakas (i.e., Krishna of the Yadava line)

• punaḥ punaḥ: again and again

• manuṣyeṣu: among humans/in mankind

• tat: that (matter)

• naḥ: to us

• prabrūhi: tell/explain clearly

• pṛcchatām: of us who are asking

Speaker

• Sages/Questioners addressing Lord Matsya (Vishnu) in the narrative frame

Entities Mentioned

• Vishnu
• Vrishni
• Andhaka
• Manushya (humankind)

Tags

• Vishnu Avatara
• Krishna
• Dharma-restoration
• Puranic dialogue
• Incarnation purpose

FAQs

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

Directly, it does not describe Pralaya; it frames a theological question: why Vishnu repeatedly descends among humans—an idea often linked in the Purana to restoring cosmic order when it declines.

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

By asking the purpose of Vishnu’s human descents, the verse points toward the Purana’s ethical core: avatāras appear to re-establish dharma, which kings uphold through just rule and householders uphold through righteous conduct and ritual duty.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vastu or temple-rule detail appears in this verse; its significance is doctrinal—setting up an inquiry that typically precedes teachings on dharma, worship, and right practice.