Matsya Purana — Rite and Layout for Consecrating Ponds, Shloka 1
*सूत उवाच जलाशयगतं विष्णुम् उवाच रविनन्दनः तडागारामकूपानां वापीषु नलिनीषु च //
*sūta uvāca jalāśayagataṃ viṣṇum uvāca ravinandanaḥ taḍāgārāmakūpānāṃ vāpīṣu nalinīṣu ca //
สูตะกล่าวว่า: บุตรแห่งพระอาทิตย์ได้กล่าวถึงพระวิษณุผู้สถิตในแหล่งน้ำ—ทั้งในสระ ในอุทยาน ในบ่อ ในบ่อขั้นบันได และในสระบัวด้วย.
FAQs
It does not describe Pralaya directly; instead, it teaches a sacral cosmology in which Viṣṇu is immanently present in life-sustaining waters—ponds, wells, and lotus-pools—linking preservation (Viṣṇu’s function) to water resources.
By identifying Viṣṇu with public water sources, the verse supports the Purāṇic ethic that creating and maintaining ponds, wells, gardens, and step-wells is a high merit civic duty—ideal for kings (public welfare) and householders (charitable works and community sustenance).
Architecturally, it elevates waterworks (taḍāga, kūpa, vāpī) and landscaped spaces (ārāma, nalinī) as sacred infrastructure; ritually, it implies that worship or offerings made at such water bodies are effectively worship of Viṣṇu, encouraging consecration and upkeep of these sites.