Mahapurana #16 of 18 · tamasic · Mixed
मत्स्य पुराण
Matsya Purana
Matsya Purāṇa
Verses: 14,000 · Best known for: Pralaya narrative + Vastu shastra
Central theme
The Matsya (fish) avatar saving Manu from the flood; oldest of the Mahapuranas
Summary
Often dated to the earliest puranic layer (3rd-4th century CE). Matsya narrates to Manu while towing his boat. Covers temple architecture, gemology, music, prosody — and the full deluge / next-yuga prophecies.
Notable stories + sections
- ●Matsya saving Manu + the seven sages from pralaya
- ●Detailed Vastu + temple-construction shastras
- ●Dance + music theory
Why read it
Earliest accessible glimpse of mature puranic genre — and a Vastu primary source.