Shloka 29

Matsya Purana — Genealogy and Classification of Sacred Fires

Devanagari script

परस्परोत्थितो ह्यग्निर् भूतानीह विभुर्दहन् अग्नेर्मन्युमतः पुत्रो घोरः संवर्तकः स्मृतः //

Transliteration

parasparotthito hyagnir bhūtānīha vibhurdahan agnermanyumataḥ putro ghoraḥ saṃvartakaḥ smṛtaḥ //

Translation

From mutual friction and interaction arises the all-pervading fire, which here burns living beings; it is remembered as the dreadful Saṃvartaka, the son of Agni, born of his wrath.

Word by Word

• paraspara-utthitaḥ: arisen from mutual (interaction/friction)

• hi: indeed

• agniḥ: fire

• bhūtāni: beings/creatures

• iha: here (in this world)

• vibhuḥ: all-pervading/mighty

• dahan: burning/consuming

• agneḥ: of Agni (Fire-deity)

• manyu-mataḥ: possessed of wrath/anger-filled

• putraḥ: son

• ghoraḥ: terrible/dreadful

• saṃvartakaḥ: Saṃvartaka (the pralaya-fire)

• smṛtaḥ: is remembered/is called

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu on pralaya

Entities Mentioned

• Agni
• Saṃvartaka

Tags

• Pralaya
• Cosmic Fire
• Saṃvartaka
• Puranic Cosmology
• Dissolution

FAQs

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

It identifies the Saṃvartaka as a catastrophic, all-consuming fire associated with pralaya, portrayed as arising from intense interaction/friction and empowered by Agni’s wrath to burn all beings.

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

Indirectly, it underscores impermanence: kings and householders should govern and live with dharma and detachment, recognizing that worldly prosperity can be consumed in cosmic dissolution.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or temple rule is stated; ritually, it supports the pralaya theme that motivates protective rites, fire-propitiation, and purificatory observances acknowledging Agni’s supreme consuming power.