Shloka 4

Matsya Purana — Intermediate Dissolution

Devanagari script

ततो ऽल्पसत्त्वक्षयदा रश्मयः सप्त दारुणाः सप्तसप्तेर्भविष्यन्ति प्रतप्ताङ्गारवर्षिणः //

Transliteration

tato 'lpasattvakṣayadā raśmayaḥ sapta dāruṇāḥ saptasapterbhaviṣyanti prataptāṅgāravarṣiṇaḥ //

Translation

Then there will arise seven terrible rays from the Sun—sevenfold—bringing ruin to the scant vitality of beings, raining down burning embers like red-hot charcoal.

Word by Word

• tataḥ: then/thereafter

• alpa-sattva: scant vitality/strength of living beings

• kṣaya-dāḥ: causing depletion/destruction

• raśmayaḥ: rays

• sapta: seven

• dāruṇāḥ: dreadful/terrible

• sapta-sapteḥ: of the seven-horsed one (the Sun)

• bhaviṣyanti: will come to be/will arise

• pratapta: intensely heated

• aṅgāra: charcoal/embers

• varṣiṇaḥ: raining down/showering

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) addressing Vaivasvata Manu

Entities Mentioned

• Surya (the seven-horsed Sun)

Tags

• Pralaya
• Cosmic omens
• Kali Yuga
• Sun
• Dissolution

FAQs

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

It describes a pralaya-omen: the Sun manifests intensified, destructive rays that drain life-force and scorch the world, symbolizing the onset of cosmic drying and burning preceding dissolution.

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

As an end-time warning, it implies urgency in dharma: rulers and householders should uphold order, charity, and restraint while conditions remain favorable, since worldly stability can collapse under cosmic forces beyond human control.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vastu or temple rule is stated; indirectly, it underscores impermanence—ritual merit and dharmic foundations are prioritized over mere material construction when pralaya-portents arise.