In this work of creation, illusion overtook him: he therefore performed great asceticism, Having obtained ascetic success, O best of the Bharata race, Manu again took up the work of creation in proper and exact order. I have thus narrated to you the old story called the Legend of the Fish.
प्रमूढोऽभूत् प्रजासर्गे तपस्तेपे महत् ततः। तपसा महता युक्तः सोऽथ उरष्टुं प्रचक्रमे॥ सर्वाः प्रजा मनुः साक्षाद् यथावद् भरतर्षभ। इत्येतन्मात्स्यकं नाम पुराणं परिकीर्तितम्॥