Shloka 50

Matsya Purana — Description of Gomedaka and Puṣkara Dvīpas; the Lokāloka Boundary; Ocean Tide...

Devanagari script

अग्नेर्दशगुणो वायुर् धारयञ्ज्योतिरास्थितः तिर्यक्च मण्डलो वायुर् भूतान्यावेष्ट्य धारयन् //

Transliteration

agnerdaśaguṇo vāyur dhārayañjyotirāsthitaḥ tiryakca maṇḍalo vāyur bhūtānyāveṣṭya dhārayan //

Translation

Air (Vāyu) is declared tenfold more potent than fire; established in the principle of light, it sustains that light. Moving crosswise as a circular current, that very Wind encloses beings and supports them.

Word by Word

• अग्नेः (agner): than/with respect to fire

• दशगुणः (daśa-guṇaḥ): tenfold, ten-times (in strength/effect)

• वायुः (vāyuḥ): wind, air

• धारयन् (dhārayan): sustaining, upholding

• ज्योतिः (jyotiḥ): light, radiance

• आस्थितः (āsthitaḥ): established in, resting upon

• तिर्यक् (tiryak): crosswise, transverse

• च (ca): and

• मण्डलः (maṇḍalaḥ): circular, in a ring/orbital form

• भूतानि (bhūtāni): beings, elements/creatures

• आवेष्ट्य (āveṣṭya): having enveloped, having wrapped around

• धारयन् (dhārayan): sustaining, maintaining

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu (contextual attribution within the Matsya–Manu dialogue style)

Entities Mentioned

• Agni
• Vayu
• Jyotis
• Bhutani

Tags

• Cosmology
• Panchabhuta
• Pralaya
• Elemental hierarchy
• Matsya Purana teachings

FAQs

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

It presents a cosmological hierarchy where Vāyu is a stronger sustaining principle than Agni and functions as an enveloping force that maintains beings—an idea used in Purāṇic accounts of how elements support (and later withdraw during) cosmic dissolution.

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

Indirectly, it frames “dhāraṇa” (sustaining) as a cosmic norm: just as Vāyu upholds and contains beings, a king or householder is expected to uphold order, protect dependents, and maintain stability in society.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

While not a direct Vāstu rule, it highlights Vāyu as a sustaining, circulating force—supporting later Vāstu/ritual logic that emphasizes airflow, enclosure, and balanced circulation (maṇḍala-like ordering) in sacred and domestic spaces.