Matsya Purana — The Strategy to Defeat Tāraka: Pārvatī’s Birth, Shloka 92
स्फुटालोके शशभृति भ्रान्तिरात्रिविहंगमे रजनीचरभूतानां संघैरावृतचत्वरे //
sphuṭāloke śaśabhṛti bhrāntirātrivihaṃgame rajanīcarabhūtānāṃ saṃghairāvṛtacatvare //
إذا أشرق القمرُ بنورٍ صافٍ، ومع ذلك تتيه طيورُ الليل في اضطراب، وتغدو مفارقُ الطرق العامة مكتظّة—مغطّاة—بجماعاتٍ من الكائنات الليلية، عُدَّ ذلك نذيرَ شؤمٍ غير محمود.
FAQs
It does not describe Pralaya directly; it treats observable omens—disorder at night despite clear moonlight—as a sign of unseen disturbance affecting a settlement.
For a king or civic authority, a crossroads overrun by night-roaming forces symbolizes breakdown of public order and protection; it signals the need for vigilance, pacificatory rites, and restoring safety in public spaces.
The catvara (crossroads/public square) is a key node in Vastu-based civic layout; abnormal nocturnal activity there is treated as a Vastu/omen indicator, often prompting śānti (appeasement) measures and corrective planning or cleansing rites.