[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879) › c5.1169 # A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature c5.1169 A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature c5.1169 - **Language:** English ### [c5.1169](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5.1169) MATSYA PURĀNA. This Purāna is so called from its contents having been narrated to Manu by Vishnu in the form of a fish (matsya). It consists of between 14,000 and 15,000 stanzas. This work “is a miscellaneous compilation, but includes in its contents the elements of a genuine Purāna. At the same time, it is of too mixed a character to be considered as a genuine work of the Paurānik class. Many of its chapters are the same as parts of the Vishnu and Padma Purānas. It has also drawn largely from the Mahā-bhārata. “Although a Saiva work, it is not exclusively so, and it has no such sectarial absurdities as the Kūrma and Linga.” - [Previous: c5.1168](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5.1168) - [Next: c5.1170](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5.1170) - [Up: c5](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5) ## Cites (6) - [Padmapurāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.padma) — Vyāsa, Sanskrit - [Matsyapurāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.matsya) — Vyāsa, Sanskrit - [Liṅgapurāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.linga) — Vyāsa, Sanskrit - [Kūrmapurāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.kurma) — Vyāsa, Sanskrit - [Mahābhārata](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.mahabharata.vyasa) — Vyāsa, Sanskrit - [Viṣṇupurāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.visnu) — Vyāsa, Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5.1169](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5.1169) · Pramāṇa