Shloka 7

Matsya Purana — Agastya’s Origin

Devanagari script

एवं वर्षसहस्राणि वीराः पञ्च च सप्त च जलदुर्गबलाद्ब्रह्मन् पीडयन्ति जगत्त्रयम् //

Transliteration

evaṃ varṣasahasrāṇi vīrāḥ pañca ca sapta ca jaladurgabalādbrahman pīḍayanti jagattrayam //

Translation

Thus, for thousands of years, those twelve mighty warriors—O Brahman—by the strength of their water-fortress kept afflicting the three worlds.

Word by Word

• एवं (evaṃ): thus

• वर्षसहस्राणि (varṣa-sahasrāṇi): thousands of years

• वीराः (vīrāḥ): heroes/warriors

• पञ्च (pañca): five

• च (ca): and

• सप्त (sapta): seven

• च (ca): also

• जलदुर्गबलात् (jala-durga-balāt): by the power/strength of a water-fort (aquatic stronghold)

• ब्रह्मन् (brahman): O Brahmin/O revered sage

• पीडयन्ति (pīḍayanti): they torment/afflict

• जगत्त्रयम् (jagat-trayam): the three worlds (heaven, mid-region, earth).

Speaker

• Sūta (narrator) recounting the episode to the sages (traditional Purāṇic frame); addressing a Brahmin interlocutor within the narrative

Entities Mentioned

• Brahman (addressed)
• Jagat-traya (the three worlds)

Tags

• CosmicConflict
• AsuraOppression
• WaterFortress
• ManvantaraLore
• PuranaNarrative

FAQs

What does this verse reveal about the creation or dissolution (Pralaya)?

This verse does not describe Pralaya directly; it highlights prolonged cosmic oppression of the three worlds, a common narrative trigger that precedes divine intervention in Purāṇic cycles.

How does this verse relate to the duties of a King or Householder?

By portraying sustained suffering caused by fortified aggressors, it implicitly supports the dharmic duty of rulers to protect subjects and restore order when power is misused.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The term jala-durga (“water-fort”) points to a strategic fortification type; while not a Vāstu rule itself, it aligns with Purāṇic awareness of defensive urban/fort planning—useful for readers searching “Matsya Purana Vastu Shastra tips” about fort categories.