Shloka 19

Matsya Purana — Design and Splendour of Tripura: Maya’s Threefold Moving Fortress

Devanagari script

यज्ञधूमान्धकाराणि संपूर्णकलशानि च गगनावरणाभानि हंसपङ्क्तिनिभानि च //

Transliteration

yajñadhūmāndhakārāṇi saṃpūrṇakalaśāni ca gaganāvaraṇābhāni haṃsapaṅktinibhāni ca //

Translation

There appear masses of darkness like sacrificial smoke, and also forms like brimming water-pots—shapes that seem to veil the sky, resembling rows of swans.

Word by Word

• yajña-dhūma: sacrificial smoke

• andhakārāṇi: darknesses, dark masses

• saṃpūrṇa-kalaśāni: completely filled pots (brimming jars)

• ca: and

• gagana-āvaraṇa-ābhāni: having the appearance of a covering/veil of the sky

• haṃsa-paṅkti-nibhāni: resembling a line/row of swans

• ca: and

Speaker

• Suta (narrating the Matsya Purana’s account of omens/portents in ritual context)

Entities Mentioned

• Yajña
• Haṃsa (swan imagery)

Tags

• Yajna
• Omens
• Portents
• Sky-signs
• Ritual-phenomena

FAQs

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

It does not directly describe Pralaya; instead, it lists cosmic-atmospheric portents—sky-veiling forms and smoke-like darkness—often treated in Purāṇas as warning-signs preceding disturbance in the natural or ritual order.

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

Such omens guide decision-making: a householder or king performing sacrifices is expected to heed ritual portents, consult learned priests, and correct ritual faults or postpone actions when signs indicate disorder.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, the imagery points to yajña-environment assessment—smoke, sky-covering haze, and unusual formations are treated as nimittas; in practice this supports choosing a proper time/site and ensuring purity and correct procedure for sacrificial rites.