MATSYA MAHA PURANA
MATSYA MAHA PURANA
A quick view of the contents
The history of life on earth and humans as per our Sanatan Dharma and ancient textbooks, is so huge, old and exhaustive that it is beyond understanding and comprehensions of an ordinary mind. Despite having names and lineage of thousands of kings, their valour and virtues in ancient past; I wish patrons of our educational system should have incorporated them as a part of school curriculum in easy and understandable language. In that case, we may not have devoid of the knowledge of our ancient past.
My writings in English may not justify true translation of Sanskrit language and Shlokas due to limited vocabulary. For example - there are few words for fire or blaze. Whereas there are several names of fire in Sanskrit such as Agni, Aag, Anal, Dahal, Pawak, Dahan, Jwala, etc. and it could be used in different ways to express the type of fire. In Matsya Purana, names of fire and to describe its type of flames, names are mentioned as their siblings.
The enormity of our ancient Indian science and knowledge can be understood by knowing that the half day (12 hours) of the creator ‘Brahma’ is 1 Kalpa which is 4,316,544,000 human years + another half equivalent of 1 Kalpa which is the night of Brahma ads up to 8,633,088,000 human years (eight billion, six hundred thirty-three million and eighty-eight thousand years) or 23,980,800 divine years (twenty-three million, nine hundred eighty thousand, eight hundred). This gigantic number of years cannot be understood without basic or fundamental knowledge of its origin and science behind it. Hence, discussing 30 such Kalpas and their names which happened in past, may sound ridiculous.
To prove our belief, if we do the process of re-engineering and start counting backward with the names of kings and their dynasties ruled in past as mentioned in different Puranas, then we may track and prove their hundreds of thousands of years of rule. In the process of making backward calculations, we may also have to do the value addition by considering the improvements in terms of their age, purity in environment, longevity due to clean air, water and zero ecological pollution, fewer population etc. in relevant timeframes or YUGA.
Like other Puranas, Matsya Purana also provides names of kings, their kingdoms and their lineage running into thousands, with full descriptions. To know better, chapter numbers with descriptions are provided hereunder and in case of interest, one can read or listen the relevant chapters to find validity of my belief.
To start with, there are interesting stories and events mentioned in this Purana which is worth knowing and they can be shared with our young minds for their info and knowledge. To name and narrate a few stories among many are mentioned in Matsya Purana such as:
a. The Story of Pralaya (Deluge) and Matsya Avatar of Lord Vishnu – Chapter -1
In my previous two articles on this blog, I had mentioned that as per Puranas, at the end of every Manvantar (a time frame of 71 Mahayuga or 284 Yugas), Pralaya (deluge) happens to destroy every type of life on earth for re-starting the process again.
In other words, and in terms of modern computer language, we can say that life on earth (hard disk) gets re-formatted at the end of each Manvantar and it deletes every and each file which consists of the word "life" for re-programming by mother nature, so that a fresh beginning with absolute purity could start.
To make the beginning of life again as per Dharma and to kick start the period (yuga) of truth called Satayuga or Kritayuga, a Manu (Chieftain) is appointed with seven Rishis to sire humans and impart them with scientific, political, economic, and spiritual knowledge.
The period of Satayuga is 1,728,000 human years. We also must add into this, the transition period of equivalent number of years of Satayuga as mentioned in my past articles. The total combined period of Satayuga is too long to be safely considered towards evolvement of all types of life on earth once again, together with evolvement of human race, from Gorilla to human like (pithecanthropes erectus) and from stone age to modern age of that Yuga.
To describe this transition period a very interesting story of Manu and the Fish (Matsya incarnation of lord Vishnu) is mentioned in different Puranas. I am not repeating the same here but providing you a link of YouTube and in case of interest in knowing the unauthenticated version of story then you may watch:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RYe3Tsds2s
b. The Story of Kuchch, Yayati, Devyani and Shermistha – Chapters – 25 to 43
(In brief - Kuchch was the son of Guru Brihaspati and was sent by lord Indra to become the disciple of Guru Shukracharya to learn Sanjivini Vidya from him. In the process, daughter of Guru Shukracharya, Devyani fell in love with Kuchch but Kuchch refused her offer for marriage as he treated her as a sister due to her being the daughter of his guru. In the process, Devyani became angry, and they cursed each other.
If interested in knowing the story on YouTube but unauthenticated version, then you may visit the following link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kJPTM6Wm7k
Later Shermistha who was the princess of the demon king Vrishperva, being jealous with Devyani pushed her in a dry well by trick. King Yayati of Amravati was passing by, and he saved Devyani from the well. Due to the wrong deeds of Shermistha and enormous power of guru Shukracharya to bring dead demons to life, King Vrishperva gave her daughter along with 1000 maids in service of Devyani as her punishment. While leaving for Amravati, guru Shukracharya advised Yayati not to have an affair with Shermistha, as she was equally beautiful.
(For your information, King Yayati was a son of King Nahush and Queen Ashok Sundari. Ashok Sundari was younger to Kumar Kartikeye but elder to Shri Ganesh. She was the only daughter of Lord Shiva and Mata Parvati. Nahush was also appointed as Indra of Swarga (heaven) for many years.
Since Mata Parvati was married to Lord Shiva in the beginning of the current Vaivasvat Manvantar, under this manvantar and until now 27 Mahayugas and 3 Yugas before our Kaliyuga, have already passed, so we can also date this event.
To my mind, this event is not very old and can be calculated as 4,320,000 of 1 Mahayuga X 27 past Mayayugas + 3,880,000 of past 3 Yugas (Satayuga, Tretayuga and Dwaparyuga) = 120,520,000 human years OR 334,778 dev or divine years) - This is purely my calculation and subject to some errors.
King Yayati lived happily with his wife Devyani and had two sons from her. He also secretly had an affair with Shermistha and due to that, he had three sons from her. Knowing this guru Shukracharya cursed Yayati to become old and weak immediately. After lots of prayer for forgiveness, guru Shukracharya gave him the power of exchanging youth with somebody willing to accept his old age. None of his sons accepted his request except the youngest son from the princess Shermistha. His name was Puru and Yayati gave him his entire kingdom as a reward. After enjoying the life to the fullest, he re-exchanged his old age from Puru and went to the forest for Tapasya). - The entire episode is narrated in 18 chapters.
If interested in knowing the story on YouTube but unauthenticated version, then you may visit the following link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uo4GYwqCHoc
c. Story of Tirpur constructed by Mayasura and destroyed by Lord Shiva - Chapters – 129 to 140.
(In brief – Mayasura was the greatest architects of Asuaras or demons and capable of creating miracles. At the request of Tarkasura, the demon king and his three sons, he created three artificial planets called Tirpur or Tripur to become a part of the solar system. Those three planets were invincible and could not be destroyed by any divine power unless these three planets while rotating in the galaxy come in a straight line during their alignment under Pushya Nakshatra (constellations). Due to these three planets, asuras become too arrogant and reckless and started killing good people, sages, and gods.
As a result, all Gods came together and requested lord Shiva at the behest of lord Brahma to destroy Tirpur. Lord Shiva with the help of lord Vishnu and Brahma, used single arrow to pierce through while three planets were in a straight line and destroyed the planets. As a result, lord Shiva is also called as Tripurari). The entire episode is narrated in 11 chapters.
If interested in knowing the story on YouTube but unauthenticated version, then you may visit the following link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZyhERmIk7k
d. Story of Vajranga and Tarkasur – Chapters – 146-153
(In brief – One of the wives of sage Kashyap, ‘Diti’ was very sad as her demon sons were killed by lord Indra. To punish Indra, she requested her husband to find a way to kill Indra. Sage Kashyap advised her to do penance (tapasya) for several years with certain code of conducts while performing tapasya.
When Indra came to know about Diti’s intention, he started serving Diti like an obedient son in disguise. Towards the end of her penance, Diti forgot to observe the rules of penance, as a result Indra found an opportunity and destroyed her embryo in 7 pieces with his Vajra and he again divided them into 7 pieces each while she was asleep. Due to her penance and power, those 49 embryos could not be destroyed completely. When Diti woke up, she was very angry with Indra, and to save himself from her curse, he promised to take those embryos upon their birth to heaven (Swargaloka) as devas called 49 Maruts. Until today those 49 Maruts are worshipped in a puja by Hindus.
Due to the above event, Diti again went for tapasya at the behest of sage Kashyap and gave birth to Vajranga for the sole purpose of killing Indra. Vajranga attacked Indra and captured him. He brought Indra before his mother to be punished. Due to the intervention of maharishi Kashyap and Brahma ji he released Indra. Vajranga renounced the world and became a tapaswi. While doing tapasya, Indra mischievously tormented his wife Varangi. As a result, Brahma ji blessed Varangi with an invincible son named as Tarkasura.
Tarkasura become the most powerful asura of his time after pleasing lord Brahma and obtaining boon from him. He could not to be killed by any creature or humans or God except by a 7 years old boy or the son of Lord Shiva. He defeated and captured Indra and made other Gods as his prisoners. That time lord Shiva was leading a hermitage life due to the self-emollition of his wife Sati and there was no indication of him getting married again and having a child. Later goddess Parvati was also cursed by Rati, the wife of Kamadev, not to have any child from her womb.
(In my last article under ‘Points to Note’, I had mentioned that lord Shiva lived without his consort Shakti after the departure of Sati in the 1st Manvantar of Pitri Kalpa until the arrival of Parvati in 7th Manvantar of Varah Kalpa (Current). There was a gap of 20 Manvantars or 6 billion,165 million 504 hundred thousand human years OR 17 million, 126 thousand 400 dev or divine years. Therefore, because of the boon of Brahma ji, Tarkasura enjoyed his rule without any credible resistance for this period time and it was over only after the arrival of Mata Parvati and Kartikey in 7th Manvantar).
With the help of their immense divine power, lord Shiva and Parvati created a son named Kartikeyealso called Murugan who killed Tarkasur and got rid of three worlds from his tyrannical rule.) – The entire episode is narrated in 7 chapters.
If interested in knowing the story on YouTube but unauthenticated version, then you may visit the following link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=murxzgUmb_s
(In brief – At the place of Lord Vishnu in Vaikuntha, two door keepers namely Jaya and Vijaya were posted to guard the entrance. Once four sons of Brahma called Sanatkumars (Eternal Youth) named Sanak, Sanandana, Sanatana and Santkumara arrived at the gate of Vaikuntha to meet lord Vishnu, they were stopped by Jaya and Vijaya and thereafter some unpleasant conversation took place as a result they cursed Jaya and Vijaya for their demonic behaviour to fall down and become demons on earth. They prayed to lord Vishnu to forgive them for their sins, and asked for boon that they should be killed in their future lives none other than but lord Vishnu himself.
If interested in knowing the story of Hiranyaksha on YouTube but unauthenticated version, then you may visit the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Acz0otG4uOQ
After some time on earth, wife of sage Kashyap, Diti gave birth to Jaya & Vijaya as Hiranyaksha and Hiranyakashyapu, the two greatest Asusras of their time. They created tremendous fear, destructions, and negativity on earth. Later lord Vishnu had to reincarnate as Varaha (Boar) to kill Hiranyaksha and lord Narasingha Avtar (half human and half lion) to kill Hiranyakashyapu to save his virtuous son Prahalad from his tyranny who was a great devotee of lord Vishnu.) – The entire episode is narrated in 3 chapters.
If interested in knowing the story of Hiranyakashyapu on YouTube but unauthenticated version, then you may visit the following link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMk44mSqxaI
f. The Story of Savitri and Satyavan – Chapters – 208-214
(In brief – A king by name Aswapati of Madra desh had no issue. Therefore, he conducted prayer to goddess Savitri Devi (Saraswati Devi) and she blessed him for a daughter. His wife Malti gave birth to a daughter which they named after goddess Savitri only. Upon attaining adulthood, Savitri was married to a boy named Satyavan who was son of a king Dyumatsen. One day Narada Rishi arrived and told them that Satyavan will be alive for one year only. Later due to the blindness, king Dyumatsenwas banished from his kingdom and used to live a hermitage life along with his wife, son, and daughter in law.
Upon completion of one year, on the last day Savitri had gone to the forest with his husband Satyavan to collect fruits and wood for the family. While collecting the stuff in the forest, Satyavan complained of severe headache and lied down with his head in the lap of Savitri. That time, Savitri saw Yamaraj (also called Dharmaraj) the God of Death, coming and arresting the soul of Satyavan with his Yampas and walking away. Seeing this, Savitri also started following Dharmaraj while talking to him.
Savitri said to Dharmaraj- One obtains this lok (world) from the bhakti of mother, madhyam lok from the bhakti of father and Brahma lok from the bhakti of Guru. Those who respects all three, it is assumed that one has done all dharmas and those who have not done these punya kriyas becomes useless. As long they are alive, one should care and serve them well. Dharmaraj endorsed her statement and asked her to go back but she insisted to follow her husband wherever Dharmaraj is taking him as there is no point in living in this world as a widow. Upon hearing this, Dharmaraj asked for a boon but except the life of her husband. She asked for the re-instatement of her fathers-in-law’s kingdom and return of his eyesight. And Dharmaraj granted her wish.
Despite the advice of Dharmaraj to go back she continued following him and continued talking. She said, those who are untruthful, can not help anybody neither to themselves. One is not afraid of poison, enemy or arms but one should be fearful from those enemies who are untruthful and bad. The way Sajjan (pious) person sacrifice themselves to help others, the same way Durjan (bad people) sacrifice themselves to harm others. Those kings who punish durjan people are respected by all. It is the best rajadharma. I feel you are the best king of kings to perform rajdharma. Upon hearing this Dharmarajbecame happy and asked for the second boon but without asking for the life of Satyavan. Then Savitri said that I crave for 100 brothers. My father has no sons, and he should be happy with that number of sons. Dharmaraj granted her wish and asked her to go back but she continued following him.
By saying this, Savitri tricked Dharmaraj with her intelligence, by asking for an indirect boon but having the direct effect on the revival of life of her husband. Dharmaraj was very pleased with her intelligence, persistence, and perseverance.
Dharmaraj said, now you should go back as all your wishes would be fulfilled. Thereafter Savitri praised Dharmaraj in many verses, which is worth listening and is Aayuvardhak (for longevity). Dharmaraj said that Satyavan will remain alive and rule for 500 years and he will sire 100 sons from you (In those days people used to live longer with many sons & daughters). – The entire episode is described in 6 chapters.
The story of Savitri and Satyavan is also posted on YouTube, and you may visit for watching. However, these short stories do not justify the long and thoughtful conversation on once duty towards their parents & teacher, about dharma, artha, kaam etc taken place between Savitri and Dharmaraj.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPmkTyQGosY
There are films too on Savitri & Satyavan and the links are:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhPSFVFE6RM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMAnPoyTyaI
The entire Matsya Purana and its chapters in detail, with links of YouTube Video is pasted hereunder. There are 11 volumes in Hindi and each volume is about 4 hours long.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgZk-gO3wuM
There is another link in Sanskrit with Hindi translation:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4Afs-SRm90
CHAPTER DESCRIPTIONS
with short details
1. Chapter 1 - 7 – Mangalacharan; Question and answer session with the incarnation of Lord Vishnu as Matsya (Fish) and Manu Prajapati, about pralaya (deluge), origin of Vedas, Manu, goddess Saraswati, daughters of Prajapati Daksha, details of Kashyap lineage, origin of Maruts, tapasya (penance) of Diti (wife of Kashyap) and boon to her by Kashyap.
2. Chapter 8 - 10 - Coronation of King Prithu, description of 14 Manvantars and their gods and Rishis, detailed description of king Prithu and how he used Prithavi (Earth) for the betterments.
3. Chapter 11 – Names of all kings of Surya Vans and Chandra Vans and their territories.
4. Chapter 12- Full description and names of all kings belonging to of Ichawaku dynasty.
5. Chapter 13- Description of Sati and her 108 names.
6. Chapter 14 - 22 – The process and full details of conducting Shraddha (after death rituals), story of Maharishi Kaushiki’s sons and Pipilika, Story of Brahmadatta and motion of four chakrawakas.
7. Chapter 23 - Origin of Chandrama (Moon God) and his marriage with 27 daughters of Daksha Prajapati, his infatuation with Tara and fight with Lord Shiva.
8. Chapter 24 – Birth of lord Buddha, Pururwa and story of Urvashi, story of Nahush’s son Yayati.
9. Chapters 25 - 43 – Kuchh–Devyani, Yayati-Devyani episode- Guru Brihaspati’s son ‘Kuchh’, becoming disciple of guru Shukracharya and to obtain the knowledge of Sanjivini vidya, Devyani (daughter of Shukracharya) falling in love with Kuchh, Kuchh’s refusal to marry her and as a result cursing each other, Devyani & Shermistha (daugther of demon king Vrishperva) Episode, marriage of Devyani with Yayati and birth of two sons from them, birth of three sons from Yayati and Shermistha, cursing of Yayati to become old by Shukracharya, request of Yayati to his sons to exchange his old age with their youth, coronation of the youngest son Puru from Shermistha, Yayati’s travel to heaven and then falling from the heaven to earth, question and answers by Ashtak while Yayati is falling, full description of Yayati’s dynasty (lineage) and Yadu Vans.
10. Chapter 44 – Story of Kartvirya
11. Chapters 45 - 46 – Description of Vrishni Vans and story of Syamantak Mani.
12. Chapters 47 - 48 – Description of lord Shri Krishna, history of demons, and his different incarnations, description of Turvasu and Druhyuk vans and story of king Bali.
13. Chapters 49 - 51 – Detailed description of Puru Vans, story of Bharat Vans, birth of rishi Bharadwajand his lineage, Neep Vans and their lineage, history of Paurvas, detailed lineage of entire Puru Vansi, description of Agni Vans and difference between them.
14. Chapter 52 – Importance of Karmayoga.
15. Chapter 53 – Names of all Puranas and their short descriptions.
16. Chapters 54 - 81 – Different Vrat & Puja vidhi – Nakshatra-Purush Vrat, Aditya-Sayan Vrat, Shrikrishna- Asthami Vrat, Rohini Chandra sayan Vrat, methods of invoking deva mandirs, well, pond, garden etc, Saubhaga-Sayan Vrat, Origin of maharishi Agastya and Vasistha, damsel Urvasi, Ananta-Tritiya Vrat, Ras-Kalyani Vrat, Adranandkari Vrat, Akshaya-Tritiya Vrat, Saraswat Vrat, methods of bath during Surya and Chadra Graha (eclipse) and its importance, Saptami-Strapan Vrat, Bhim-Dwadasi Vrat, Panya-Stri Vrat, Asunya-Sayan Vrat, Angarak Vrat, worship of Shukra & Guru, Kalyan-Saptami Vrat, Vishok-Saptami Vrat, Fal-Saptami Vrat, Sarkara-Saptami Vrat, Kamal-Saptami Vrat, Mandar-Saptami Vrat, Subh-Saptami Vrat, Vishok-Dwadshi Vrat, etc.
17. Chapters 82 - 92 – Types and Methods of Daan (offerings)- Gud-Dhenu, Parvat Daan, Lavnachal Daan, Gudparvat Daan, Suvarnachal Daan, Tilshail Daan, Karpasachal Daan, Ghritachal Daan, Ratnachal Daan, Rajatachal Daan, Serkarashail Daan, etc.
18. Chapter 93 - 102 – Navagraha Shanti – Description of Navagraha shanti and their forms, Maheshwar Vrat, Serva-fal-tyag Vrat, Adityavar-Klpa, Sankranti Vrat, Vibhuti-dvadashi Vrat, Story of Pushpavahan, method and importance of sixty Vrats.
19. Chapters 103 - 112 - About Prayag & Kashi – Prayag Mahatmya, Daan of cows after death, various pilgrimage in Prayag, Ansan Vrat & Kalpavas in Prayag.
20. Chapters 113 - 123 – Geography – Bharat Varsha, Kimpurush Varsha and Hari Varsha, Past life of King Pururva, description of Airavati river, Himalaya, rishi Atri’s Ashram, tapasya of king Pururva, description of Kailash mountain, seven streams of river Ganga, Jambu dweep, Shaka dweep, Kush Dweep, Kroncha dweep, Shalmal dweep, Gomedak dweep, and Pushker dweep.
21. Chapters 124 – 128 - Dimension and Distance of Sun, Moon and other Planets – distance and dimension of Sun, Moon, and placement of other planets.
22. Chapters 129 - 140 - Construction, placement and destruction of Tripura (artificial planets) by Mayasur – battle between devas and asura, destruction of Tripura by lord Shiva.
23. Chapter 141- Pururva’s assimilation with Sun and moon and methods of Pitra tarpan.
24. Chapters 142 – 145 - Calculation of Yugas, body types of people and other beings – Description of Tretayuga, nature and methods oof Yagya, Dwapar Yuga and Kaliyuga, their characters and nature, story of Raja Pramati, kick start of Kritayuga (Satayuga), height and biological descriptions.
25. Chapters 146 – 153 - Birth of Vajranga and Tarkasur – Tarkasur Tapsya, Deva sur Sangram.
26. Chapters 154 - 160 - Release of Gods by Tarkasur, Shiv Parvati Vivah, adoption of Virak as son by Parvati, secret conversation of Parvati and Kusumamodini, Aadi Daitya disguised as Parvati, curse by Parvati to Virak, Birth of Skanda (Kartikeya), battle of Kartikeye and Tarkasur, killing of Tarkasur.
27. Chapters 161 - 163 - Story of Hiranyakasyapu, Prahalad and Narsingh avtar of lord Vishnu.
28. Chapters 164- 179 - In context of Padmodvhava – Scenarios under four Yugas, description of Maha Pralaya, Markendey jis conversation with lord Vishnu, origin of Madhu & Kaitav, story of 12 daughters of Prajapati Daksha, battle of Devas and Daitya.
29. Chapters 180 – 194 - Mahatmya of Varanasi, Kashi, Narmada river, Shukla trithya mahatmya, tapsya of Bhrigu muni.
30. Chapters 195- 203 - Description of Bhrigu Vansa, Maharishi Angira and his Vans, Maharishi Atri and his Vans, Maharishi Viswamitra and his Vans, Maharishi Kashyap and his Vans, Maharishi Vasistha and his Vans, Maharishi Parasar and his Vans, Maharishi Agastya, Pulah, Pulastya and Kratuki and their Vans, Dharma and his Vans.
31. Chapters 204 - 207 - Shraddha Kalpa, Dhenu daan, Krishna Mriga Charma daan, Utsarga, etc.
32. Chapters 208 - 214 - SAVITRI & SATAYVAN STORY – Conversation between Savitri and Yamraj, giving of boons to Savitri by Yamaraj.
33. Chapter 215 – 227- Duties of a king (Rajdharma) and their subordinates.
34. Chapters 228 – 240 - Description of amazing peace, miracles and utpat (troubles), defects, pregnancy related issues. etc.
35. Chapters 241 - 243 – Meanings of muscle tweaking in different parts of the body, different types of dreams and their meanings.
36. Chapters 244 – 251 - About Vaman Avtar of lord Vishnu, curse of Prahlad to Bali, conversation between Bali & Shukra, Varah avtar, about churning of ocean etc.
37. Chapters 252 – 270 - About Vastu Shashtra, process of worshipping different idols, vastu shanti.
38. Chapters 271 – 289 Rajvansanukirtan, Tuladan,hirnyagarbha, brahmanddaan, kalpadaan, goshashtra daan, Kamdhenu daan, etc.
39. Chapters 290-291 – Kalpanukirtan, Anukramnika.
THE END.
Disclaimer: I have made another baby step towards knowing our ancient history. My knowledge and understanding of our shastras (ancient textbooks) are very limited and they are equivalent of a child’s knowledge. Therefore, please forgive me for any mistake or unmindful misrepresentation. Still, I have dared to throw lights on our ancient history and science for the information and knowledge to people like me or the inquisitive minds. Thanks for your time and patience in going through my article and the blog.
Your comments or suggestions for any correction or improvements are very much solicited.
Suman Saran Sinha
A pursuer of logical, scientific and historical quests
USA, Friday April 7th, 2023.
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