Shloka 10

Matsya Purana — Description of Pralaya: Drying

Devanagari script

तं वरेण्यं परमेष्ठी हृषीकेशमुपाश्रितः ततो भगवतस्तस्य रश्मिभिः परिवारितः //

Transliteration

taṃ vareṇyaṃ parameṣṭhī hṛṣīkeśamupāśritaḥ tato bhagavatastasya raśmibhiḥ parivāritaḥ //

Translation

Then Paramēṣṭhī (Brahmā), taking refuge in that most excellent Hṛṣīkeśa (Lord Viṣṇu), stood surrounded by the radiance streaming from that Blessed Lord.

Word by Word

• tam: him/that

• vareṇyam: most excellent, supremely worthy of choice

• parameṣṭhī: Paramēṣṭhī (Brahmā, the cosmic ordainer)

• hṛṣīkeśam: Hṛṣīkeśa (Lord of the senses—Viṣṇu)

• upāśritaḥ: having taken refuge in, having approached for protection

• tataḥ: then/thereupon

• bhagavataḥ: of the Blessed Lord

• tasya: of him/that (Lord)

• raśmibhiḥ: by rays, beams, radiance

• parivāritaḥ: surrounded, encompassed.

Speaker

• Sūta (Purāṇic narrator) describing the cosmic scene (Brahmā taking refuge in Viṣṇu)

Entities Mentioned

• Hṛṣīkeśa (Viṣṇu)
• Paramēṣṭhī (Brahmā)

Tags

• Creation
• Cosmic hierarchy
• Vishnu supremacy
• Brahma refuge
• Theology

FAQs

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

It presents a key Purāṇic theological principle: even the cosmic creator (Brahmā/Paramēṣṭhī) relies on Viṣṇu as the ultimate refuge, implying Viṣṇu’s supremacy across cycles of creation and dissolution.

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

By modeling śaraṇāgati (taking refuge in the highest good), it implies that rulers and householders should ground their actions in devotion, humility, and dependence on dharma rather than ego or mere power.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or temple-rule detail appears; the verse is primarily theological, emphasizing divine radiance and refuge—ideas often invoked ritually in praise (stuti) and consecratory contexts.