Shloka 19

Matsya Purana — Description of Pralaya: Drying

Devanagari script

पौराणं रूपमास्थाय स्वपित्यमितविक्रमः एकार्णवजलव्यापी योगी योगमुपाश्रितः //

Transliteration

paurāṇaṃ rūpamāsthāya svapityamitavikramaḥ ekārṇavajalavyāpī yogī yogamupāśritaḥ //

Translation

Assuming his ancient, Purāṇic form, that one of immeasurable prowess remained in yogic repose; pervading the waters of the single cosmic ocean, the Yogi abided, taking refuge in Yoga.

Word by Word

• पौराणम्: ancient/Purāṇic

• रूपम्: form

• आस्थाय: having assumed

• स्वपिति: sleeps/abides in repose

• अमित-विक्रमः: of immeasurable valor/power

• एक-अर्णव: the single (primeval) ocean

• जल: waters

• व्यापी: pervading, all-pervasive

• योगी: the Yogi (supreme ascetic, Lord)

• योगम्: Yoga, meditative absorption

• उपाश्रितः: having resorted to/taken refuge in

Speaker

• Suta (narrative voice describing the Pralaya-state of the Supreme/Lord Matsya-Vishnu)

Entities Mentioned

• Pralaya (Cosmic Dissolution)
• Ekarṇava (the One Ocean)
• Yoga (Yogic absorption)
• Supreme Lord (Vishnu/Matsya context)

Tags

• Pralaya
• Yoga
• Cosmic Ocean
• Vishnu
• Matsya Purana

FAQs

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

It depicts the Pralaya condition where all is submerged in the single cosmic ocean (ekārṇava), while the Supreme remains all-pervasive and established in yogic absorption rather than being affected by dissolution.

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

Indirectly, it frames worldly duties as time-bound within cosmic cycles; a king or householder should practice dharma with detachment, remembering that stability and power are transient compared to the Lord’s yogic sovereignty over Pralaya.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or ritual rule is stated; the takeaway is cosmological—temples and rites symbolically mirror cosmic order, and this verse highlights the primal 'one-ocean' state that precedes renewed creation.