Shloka 11

Matsya Purana — Description of Pralaya: Drying

Devanagari script

वायुनाक्रम्यमाणासु द्रुमशाखासु चाश्रितः तेषां संघर्षणोद्भूतः पावकः शतधा ज्वलन् //

Transliteration

vāyunākramyamāṇāsu drumaśākhāsu cāśritaḥ teṣāṃ saṃgharṣaṇodbhūtaḥ pāvakaḥ śatadhā jvalan //

Translation

When the branches of trees are lashed and driven by the wind, fire—born from their mutual friction—arises and blazes forth in a hundred flames.

Word by Word

• वायुनā (vāyunā): by the wind

• आक्रम्यमाणासु (ākramyamāṇāsu): being assailed/violently driven

• द्रुम-शाखासु (druma-śākhāsu): in the branches of trees

• च (ca): and

• आश्रितः (āśritaḥ): taking support/abiding (there)

• तेषाम् (teṣām): of them

• संघर्षण-उद्भूतः (saṃgharṣaṇa-udbhūtaḥ): arisen from friction/collision

• पावकः (pāvakaḥ): fire

• शतधा (śatadhā): a hundredfold/in many tongues

• ज्वलन् (jvalan): blazing

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) reporting the Purāṇic account (dialogue-frame context tied to Matsya’s teaching to Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Vayu (Wind)
• Pavaka/Agni (Fire)
• Druma (Trees)

Tags

• Pralaya
• Agni
• Vayu
• Elemental_Forces
• Cosmic_Process

FAQs

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

It highlights how intensified wind can generate destructive fire through friction—an image used in Purāṇic cosmology to explain cascading elemental forces during upheaval and dissolution.

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

As an ethical analogy, it warns that unchecked forces (like anger, conflict, or poor governance) can ‘ignite’ widespread harm; a ruler or householder must prevent conditions that lead to destructive escalation.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It underscores the practical and symbolic need to manage vāyu (airflow) and agni (fire risk)—a principle later echoed in Vastu-oriented concerns like ventilation, hearth placement, and fire-safety in ritual spaces.