Shloka 24

Matsya Purana — Intermediate Dissolution

Devanagari script

देवतानां प्रतिष्ठादि यच्चान्यद्विद्यते भुवि तत्सर्वं विस्तरेण त्वं धर्मं व्याख्यातुमर्हसि //

Transliteration

devatānāṃ pratiṣṭhādi yaccānyadvidyate bhuvi tatsarvaṃ vistareṇa tvaṃ dharmaṃ vyākhyātumarhasi //

Translation

Tu dois expliquer en détail l’ensemble du Dharma—à commencer par la consécration (pratiṣṭhā, installation) des divinités et tout ce qui se trouve par ailleurs sur la terre.

Word by Word

• devatānām: of the deities

• pratiṣṭhā-ādi: consecration/installation and related rites

• yat ca anyat: and whatever else

• vidyate: exists/is found

• bhuvi: on earth/in the world

• tat sarvam: all that

• vistareṇa: in detail/at length

• tvam: you

• dharmam: Dharma (sacred law, right conduct, ritual duty)

• vyākhyātum: to expound/explain

• arhasi: you are worthy/you should

Speaker

• Vaivasvata Manu

Entities Mentioned

• Devatāḥ (deities)
• Pratiṣṭhā (deity installation/consecration)

Tags

• Dharma
• Pratishtha
• Ritual
• Puranic dialogue
• Temple consecration

FAQs

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

This verse does not directly describe Pralaya; it sets the agenda for a comprehensive teaching on Dharma, explicitly including deity consecration (pratiṣṭhā) and other worldly regulations.

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

By requesting a detailed exposition of Dharma, Manu frames the king/householder’s duty as grounded in correct ritual and ethical order—especially maintaining public religion through proper consecrations and allied rites that uphold social and cosmic stability.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The key term is pratiṣṭhā—formal installation/consecration of deities—central to temple ritual completion and closely tied to Vastu and iconography practices that the Matsya Purana later systematizes.