Matsya Purana — The Pushkara Manifestation, Shloka 20

Devanagari script

यं कालं तौ गतौ मुक्तौ ब्रह्मा तं कालमेव हि ततो घोरतमं भूयः संश्रितः परमं व्रतम् //

Transliteration

yaṃ kālaṃ tau gatau muktau brahmā taṃ kālameva hi tato ghoratamaṃ bhūyaḥ saṃśritaḥ paramaṃ vratam //

Translation

ಅವರು ಇಬ್ಬರೂ ಮುಕ್ತಿಯನ್ನು ಪಡೆದು ಹೋದ ಅದೇ ಕಾಲದಲ್ಲಿ ಬ್ರಹ್ಮನು ಆ ಕಾಲದಲ್ಲೇ ಪ್ರವೇಶಿಸಿದನು; ನಂತರ ಇನ್ನೂ ಘೋರವಾದ ತಪೋನಿಯಮವನ್ನು ಆಶ್ರಯಿಸಿ ಮತ್ತೆ ಪರಮ ವ್ರತವನ್ನು ಕೈಗೊಂಡನು.

Word by Word

• yam kālam: that time/period

• tau: those two (persons/beings)

• gatau: having gone/departed

• muktau: having attained liberation/freedom

• brahmā: Brahmā

• tam kālam eva hi: that very Time indeed (and none other)

• tataḥ: then/thereafter

• ghoratamam: most terrible/most austere

• bhūyaḥ: again/further

• saṃśritaḥ: resorted to/undertook

• paramam vratam: the highest vow/supreme observance (austerity).

Speaker

• Likely Lord Matsya (narrating to Vaivasvata Manu) in the Matsya Purana’s continuous dialogue frame

Entities Mentioned

• Brahma
• Kala (Time)

Tags

• Pralaya
• Kala
• Brahma
• Tapas
• Vratadharma

FAQs

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

It frames liberation and cosmic transition in terms of Kāla (Time), implying that even Brahmā’s activity proceeds under (and into) Time—an idea often used in Purāṇic pralaya/renewal discussions.

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

By highlighting “parama-vrata” (supreme vow) and intensified discipline, it supports the Matsya Purana’s ethic that rightful action includes regulated vows and austerity—principles kings and householders adopt as niyama for self-mastery and dharmic governance.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Direct vāstu rules are not stated, but the verse is ritually relevant: it emphasizes vrata/tapas as a prerequisite mindset for major rites (and, by extension, temple/ritual undertakings) in Matsya Purana traditions.