Matsya Purana — Bhīma-Dvādaśī, Shloka 4

Devanagari script

*मत्स्य उवाच एवं पृष्टः स विश्वात्मा ब्रह्मणा लोकभावनः उमापतिरुवाचेदं मनसः प्रीतिकारकम् //

Transliteration

*matsya uvāca evaṃ pṛṣṭaḥ sa viśvātmā brahmaṇā lokabhāvanaḥ umāpatiruvācedaṃ manasaḥ prītikārakam //

Translation

മത്സ്യൻ പറഞ്ഞു—ഇങ്ങനെ ചോദിക്കപ്പെട്ടപ്പോൾ, വിശ്വാത്മാവും ലോകങ്ങളെ പോഷിപ്പിക്കുന്നവനുമായ ബ്രഹ്മാവ് പറഞ്ഞു; ഉമാപതി (ശിവൻ)യും മനസ്സിന് പ്രീതികരമായ ഈ വചനങ്ങൾ അരുളിച്ചെയ്തു।

Word by Word

• मत्स्य उवाच: Matsya said

• एवं: thus

• पृष्टः: when asked/questioned

• स: he/that

• विश्वात्मा: the Universal Self

• ब्रह्मणा: by/namely Brahmā (instrumental/appositional usage)

• लोकभावनः: the one who sustains/nourishes the worlds

• उमापतिः: Umāpati (Śiva, lord of Umā)

• उवाच: spoke

• इदम्: this

• मनसः: of the mind

• प्रीतिकारकम्: causing delight/pleasing

Speaker

• Lord Matsya

Entities Mentioned

• Matsya
• Brahma
• Umāpati (Shiva)
• Umā (Parvati)

Tags

• Purana narration
• Dialogue frame
• Deities
• Dharma discourse
• Matsya–Manu context

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya directly; it sets the narrative frame by noting that, when questioned, Brahmā (world-sustainer) and Umāpati (Śiva) speak—indicating authoritative sources for the teaching that follows.

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

Indirectly: it introduces a response given by exalted figures (Brahmā/Śiva) and relayed by Matsya, signaling that the forthcoming instruction is meant to be trustworthy guidance—often used in the Matsya Purana to ground dharma rules for rulers and householders.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No specific Vāstu/ritual rule appears in this verse; it functions as a transition line (“pleasing to the mind”) introducing the next doctrinal or procedural content that may include ritual or temple-building guidance elsewhere.