Shloka 7

Matsya Purana — Description of Himavat

Devanagari script

क्वचित्संस्पृष्टसूर्यांशुं क्वचिच् च तमसावृतम् दरीमुखैः क्वचिद्भीमैः पिबन्तं सलिलं महत् //

Transliteration

kvacitsaṃspṛṣṭasūryāṃśuṃ kvacic ca tamasāvṛtam darīmukhaiḥ kvacidbhīmaiḥ pibantaṃ salilaṃ mahat //

Translation

In some places it was touched by the sun’s rays; in other places it was veiled in darkness. And in some fearful regions, through cavern-like mouths, it seemed to be drinking up the vast waters.

Word by Word

• kvacit: in some places

• saṃspṛṣṭa: touched, contacted

• sūryāṃśuṃ: the sun’s rays (sunbeams)

• kvacit: elsewhere

• ca: and

• tamasā: by darkness

• āvṛtam: covered, enveloped

• darī-mukhaiḥ: with mouths like clefts/caverns (cave-openings)

• kvacit: in some places

• bhīmaiḥ: terrible, fearsome

• pibantam: drinking, swallowing

• salilam: water

• mahat: great, vast

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) addressing Vaivasvata Manu

Entities Mentioned

• Lord Matsya
• Vaivasvata Manu
• Surya (Sun)
• Tamas (Darkness)

Tags

• Pralaya
• Cosmic portents
• Deluge imagery
• Darkness and light
• Matsya-avatara discourse

FAQs

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

It depicts Pralaya-like conditions through unstable light and darkness and a terrifying image of the landscape ‘swallowing’ immense waters—classic Purāṇic language for catastrophic dissolution and inundation.

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

Indirectly, it reinforces the Matsya Purana’s warning that worldly stability can collapse; hence kings and householders should uphold dharma, prepare through right conduct and charity, and remain detached amid impermanence.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or ritual rule is stated; however, the verse’s imagery of cavern-mouths and engulfing waters is often read as a cautionary backdrop for choosing safe, well-drained sites and respecting natural landforms in traditional planning.