Shloka 4

Matsya Purana — Cosmic Creation: Emergence of the Great Elements and the Navel-Lotus

Devanagari script

ईषत्संक्षोभयामास सो ऽर्णवं सलिलाश्रयः अनन्तरोर्मिभिः सूक्ष्मम् अथ छिद्रमभूत्पुरा //

Transliteration

īṣatsaṃkṣobhayāmāsa so 'rṇavaṃ salilāśrayaḥ anantarormibhiḥ sūkṣmam atha chidramabhūtpurā //

Translation

Then that One who dwells in the waters gently stirred the ocean; and by the ceaseless succession of subtle waves, a minute opening (a small fissure) that had existed from before became manifest.

Word by Word

• īṣat: slightly, gently

• saṃkṣobhayāmāsa: caused to heave/stirred

• saḥ: he

• arṇavam: the ocean

• salilāśrayaḥ: having the waters as his abode / dwelling in the waters

• anantara: uninterrupted, continuous

• ūrmibhiḥ: by waves

• sūkṣmam: subtle, minute

• atha: then

• chidram: an opening, fissure, hole

• abhūt: became (manifest)

• purā: formerly, from before

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) summarizing the Pralaya episode within the Matsya–Manu dialogue frame

Entities Mentioned

• Lord Matsya (implied as salilāśrayaḥ)
• Arṇava (the cosmic ocean)
• Pralaya (implied)

Tags

• Pralaya
• Matsya Avatara
• Cosmic Ocean
• Portents
• Deluge Narrative

FAQs

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

It portrays Pralaya as beginning with subtle, almost imperceptible disturbances in the cosmic ocean—small signs (minute waves and a tiny fissure/opening) preceding the larger cataclysm.

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

Indirectly, it supports the Matsya Purana’s ethic of vigilance: wise rulers/householders should heed small omens and early disturbances, acting with foresight rather than waiting for crises to become overwhelming.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or ritual rule is stated; however, the imagery of a “chidra” (opening/fissure) aligns with later Vāstu concerns about defects (chidra-doṣa) and the importance of detecting subtle faults early.