Shloka 7

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

Devanagari script

ततः संशोषयामास पावकः सलिलं बहु क्षयाज्जलनिधेश्छिद्रम् अभवद्विस्तृतं नभः //

Transliteration

tataḥ saṃśoṣayāmāsa pāvakaḥ salilaṃ bahu kṣayājjalanidheśchidram abhavadvistṛtaṃ nabhaḥ //

Translation

Then the Fire (the cosmic heat) dried up vast quantities of water; as the ocean’s mass diminished, a great opening appeared in the sea, and the sky seemed to spread wide and unobstructed.

Word by Word

• tataḥ: then

• saṃśoṣayāmāsa: dried up completely/caused to desiccate

• pāvakaḥ: fire (Agni, the burning principle)

• salilam: water

• bahu: much, in great quantity

• kṣayāt: due to diminution, from the wasting away

• jalanidheḥ: of the ocean (treasure-house of waters)

• chidram: a gap, opening, breach

• abhavat: came to be, appeared

• vistṛtam: expanded, widely spread

• nabhaḥ: the sky, firmament

Speaker

• Suta (narrative voice describing pralaya-phenomena within the Matsya Purana’s discourse)

Entities Mentioned

• Agni (Pāvaka)
• Ocean (Jalanidhi)

Tags

• Pralaya
• Cosmic Fire
• Ocean
• Dissolution
• Matsya Purana

FAQs

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

It depicts a pralaya-like condition where cosmic fire (Agni) evaporates the waters, the ocean shrinks, and a vast “breach” appears—classic imagery of dissolution through heat and desiccation.

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

Indirectly, it underscores impermanence: rulers and householders are urged elsewhere in the Matsya Purana to govern and live dharmically, knowing worldly stability (even oceans) can be undone by time and cosmic cycles.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vastu or ritual rule is stated; however, the verse supports a common Purāṇic ritual theme—recognizing cosmic cycles (pralaya) as a backdrop for rites, vows, and temple culture that aim at enduring merit beyond physical change.