Shloka 17

Matsya Purana — Cosmic Architecture of Sun–Moon and the ‘Houses of the Gods’

Devanagari script

सहस्रपादस्त्वेषो ऽग्नी रक्तकुम्भनिभस्तु सः आदत्ते स तु नाडीनां सहस्रेण समन्ततः //

Transliteration

sahasrapādastveṣo 'gnī raktakumbhanibhastu saḥ ādatte sa tu nāḍīnāṃ sahasreṇa samantataḥ //

Translation

This fire indeed is thousand-footed; it is like a red, glowing pitcher. With a thousand channels (nāḍīs) all around, it draws in and absorbs everything.

Word by Word

sahasra-pādaḥhaving a thousand feet

tuindeed/and

eṣaḥthis

agniḥfire

rakta-kumbha-nibhaḥresembling a red pot/pitcher (glowing red like heated metal)

tuindeed

saḥthat (fire)

ādattetakes up, seizes, absorbs

saḥit

tuand/indeed

nāḍīnāmof channels, conduits, veins/streams

sahasreṇaby a thousand

samantataḥon all sides, all around

Speaker

Suta (narrating the Matsya Purana’s teaching as a Purana discourse; the described imagery is typically presented within the Matsya–Manu cosmological dialogue)

Entities Mentioned

Agni

FAQs

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

It depicts pralaya as a process of cosmic withdrawal: a vast, many-reaching fire absorbs the world through innumerable ‘channels’ (nāḍīs), suggesting total, all-directional dissolution.

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

By stressing the inevitability of dissolution, it supports the Purāṇic ethic of prudent governance and disciplined household life—performing dharma and rites without arrogance, knowing all conditioned things are ultimately ‘drawn in.’

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

While not a direct Vāstu rule, the technical image of nāḍīs (channels) aligns with ritual-architectural thinking about flow (prāṇa, waters, fires) and controlled conduits—useful when interpreting later Matsya Purana Vastu Shastra tips on circulation, fires, and sacred layouts.