Shloka 1

Matsya Purana — Description of Pralaya: Drying

Devanagari script

*मत्स्य उवाच भूत्वा नारायणो योगी सत्त्वमूर्तिर्विभावसुः गभस्तिभिः प्रदीप्ताभिः संशोषयति सागरान् //

Transliteration

*matsya uvāca bhūtvā nārāyaṇo yogī sattvamūrtirvibhāvasuḥ gabhastibhiḥ pradīptābhiḥ saṃśoṣayati sāgarān //

Translation

Matsya said: Having become Nārāyaṇa—the ascetic yogin, embodied as pure sattva and blazing like the Sun—he dries up the oceans with his fiercely radiant beams.

Word by Word

• मत्स्य उवाच: Matsya said

• भूत्वा: having become

• नारायणः: Nārāyaṇa (Vishnu)

• योगी: the yogin/ascetic

• सत्त्वमूर्तिः: whose form is pure sattva (purity, clarity)

• विभावसुः: the Radiant One/the Sun (fire-like brilliance)

• गभस्तिभिः: with rays/beams

• प्रदीप्ताभिः: blazing, intensely kindled

• संशोषयति: dries up completely, desiccates

• सागरान्: the oceans/seas

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu as the Fish Incarnation)

Entities Mentioned

• Matsya
• Nārāyaṇa
• Vibhāvasu (Sun-like radiance)
• Sāgara (oceans)

Tags

• Pralaya
• Cosmic Dissolution
• Vishnu Theology
• Yoga
• Solar Imagery

FAQs

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

It depicts a pralaya-stage transformation where Nārāyaṇa’s sun-like radiance dries up the oceans—an image of cosmic withdrawal and purification preceding renewal.

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

Indirectly, it frames worldly order as dependent on divine law: kings and householders are urged elsewhere in the Matsya Purāṇa to uphold dharma with sattva (clarity and restraint), mirroring the verse’s emphasis on sattva and yogic mastery.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or ritual procedure is stated; however, the solar/fire imagery (vibhāvasu, rays) aligns with ritual symbolism of purification and consecration where radiant energy is invoked to remove impurity.