Matsya Purana — Cosmic Creation: Emergence of the Great Elements and the Navel-Lotus, Shloka 1

Devanagari script

*मत्स्य उवाच आपवः स विभुर्भूत्वा चारयामास वै तपः छादयित्वात्मनो देहं यादसां कुलसंभवम् //

Transliteration

*matsya uvāca āpavaḥ sa vibhurbhūtvā cārayāmāsa vai tapaḥ chādayitvātmano dehaṃ yādasāṃ kulasaṃbhavam //

Translation

മത്സ്യ ഭഗവാൻ പറഞ്ഞു—ആ ആപവൻ വിഭുവായി തീർന്ന് നിശ്ചയമായും തപസ്സ് അനുഷ്ഠിച്ചു; തന്റെ ദേഹം മറച്ച് ജലചരങ്ങളുടെ (യാദസ) കുലത്തിൽ ജന്മം സ്വീകരിച്ചു॥

Word by Word

• मत्स्य उवाच: Matsya said

• आपवः: Āpava (a proper name)

• स: he

• विभुः भूत्वा: having become powerful/sovereign

• चारयामास: practiced/undertook (caused to be carried on)

• वै: indeed

• तपः: austerity, ascetic discipline

• छादयित्वा: having concealed/covered

• आत्मनः: of himself, his own

• देहम्: body

• यादसाम्: of aquatic beings/creatures of the waters

• कुल-सम्भवम्: (as) born in a lineage / having lineage-origin

Speaker

• Lord Matsya

Entities Mentioned

• Matsya
• Āpava
• Yādasa (aquatic beings)

Tags

• Dynasties
• Austerity (Tapas)
• Lineage
• Mythic Origins
• Matsya Dialogue

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya directly; it focuses on a lineage-origin motif—how a figure (Āpava) uses tapas and concealment to appear as arising within an aquatic (yādasa) clan.

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

Indirectly, it highlights tapas (disciplined self-restraint) as a source of power and legitimacy—an ethical theme often applied in Purāṇic guidance for rulers and householders, even though no explicit royal duty is stated here.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu, temple-building rule, or explicit ritual procedure is stated in this verse; its key takeaway is the ascetic (tapas) and identity-concealment motif within a genealogical narrative.