Shloka 12

Matsya Purana — Description of Pralaya: Drying

Devanagari script

विमानानि च दिव्यानि पुराणि विविधानि च यानि चाश्रयणीयानि तानि सर्वाणि सो ऽदहत् //

Transliteration

vimānāni ca divyāni purāṇi vividhāni ca yāni cāśrayaṇīyāni tāni sarvāṇi so 'dahat //

Translation

He burned up all of them—celestial vimānas, the many kinds of ancient structures, and whatever places were fit to be taken as refuge.

Word by Word

• vimānāni: aerial chariots / celestial mansions

• ca: and

• divyāni: divine, heavenly

• purāṇi: ancient (old, primeval) [also: venerable structures]

• vividhāni: various, manifold

• ca: and

• yāni: whatever (those which)

• ca: and

• āśrayaṇīyāni: fit to be resorted to, worthy as shelter/refuge

• tāni: those

• sarvāṇi: all

• saḥ: he

• adahat: burned, consumed by fire

Speaker

• Narrator (within the Matsya Purana dialogue stream, traditionally Sūta reporting the Purāṇic account)

Entities Mentioned

• vimāna (celestial aerial car/abode)

Tags

• Pralaya
• Destruction
• Cosmic Fire
• Purana Narrative
• Dissolution

FAQs

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

It depicts a pralaya-like phase where even the highest supports—divine vimānas and ancient, refuge-giving structures—are not permanent and are consumed in a sweeping destruction.

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

By stressing impermanence, it supports the Purāṇic ethic that rulers and householders should build merit (dharma, charity, protection of dependents) rather than rely on worldly shelters, status, or ‘secure’ possessions.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Architecturally, it underscores that even the finest ‘āśrayaṇīya’ dwellings and exalted vimāna-like edifices are transient; ritually, it reinforces the Purāṇic priority of inner refuge (dharma and devotion) over physical structures during cosmic upheaval.