Shloka 42

Matsya Purana — Yadu Lineage

Devanagari script

नामतस्तु समासेन शृणुतैषां विवक्षतः प्रथमो नारसिंहस्तु द्वितीयश्चापि वामनः //

Transliteration

nāmatastu samāsena śṛṇutaiṣāṃ vivakṣataḥ prathamo nārasiṃhastu dvitīyaścāpi vāmanaḥ //

Translation

Now hear their names in brief, as I am about to state them: the first is Narasiṃha, and the second is Vāmana.

Word by Word

• nāmatastu: as to the names indeed

• samāsena: briefly/in summary

• śṛṇuta: hear (you all)

• eṣām: of these (incarnations/forms)

• vivakṣataḥ: from one intending to declare/speak

• prathamaḥ: the first

• nārasiṃhaḥ tu: Narasiṃha indeed

• dvitīyaḥ ca api: and also the second

• vāmanaḥ: Vāmana

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) addressing Vaivasvata Manu (and the sages present)

Entities Mentioned

• Narasimha
• Vamana

Tags

• Vishnu Avataras
• Narasimha
• Vamana
• Purana Enumeration
• Iconography

FAQs

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

This verse is not describing pralaya directly; it shifts to a concise naming of Vishnu’s incarnations, indicating a doctrinal catalog rather than a flood or dissolution narrative.

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

Indirectly, it supports dharmic orientation: knowing and reciting the avatara-names is presented as a concise teaching, useful for devotion and right understanding that undergirds righteous conduct for kings and householders.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The verse itself gives no building-rule, but it functions as a header for avatara-identification—information typically used in ritual recitation and in deciding which Vishnu form (e.g., Narasiṃha or Vāmana) is to be installed or worshipped in temple iconography.