Shloka 43

Matsya Purana — Kailasa

Devanagari script

तान्देशान्प्लावयन्ति स्म म्लेच्छप्रायांश्च सर्वशः सशैलान्कुकुरान्रौध्रान् बर्बरान्यवनान्खसान् //

Transliteration

tāndeśānplāvayanti sma mlecchaprāyāṃśca sarvaśaḥ saśailānkukurānraudhrān barbarānyavanānkhasān //

Translation

They then inundated those regions everywhere—lands largely inhabited by mlecchas—submerging even the mountainous tracts, including the Kukuras, the Raudhras, the Barbaras, the Yavanas, and the Khasas.

Word by Word

• tān: those

• deśān: regions/countries

• plāvayanti sma: (they) flooded/inundated (indeed, in the past narrative)

• mleccha-prāyān: predominantly mleccha/foreign/non-Vedic peoples

• ca: and

• sarvaśaḥ: on all sides/everywhere

• sa-śailān: together with mountains/mountainous areas

• kukurān: the Kukura people/territory

• raudhrān: the Raudhra people/territory

• barbarān: the Barbara (barbarian/foreign) peoples

• yavanān: the Yavana (Ionian/Greek/Western) peoples

• khasān: the Khasa peoples (Himalayan/northwestern groups).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu, within the Pralaya narrative frame)

Entities Mentioned

• Mleccha
• Kukura
• Raudhra
• Barbara
• Yavana
• Khasa

Tags

• Pralaya
• Great Flood
• Puranic Geography
• Mleccha Regions
• Tribal Polities

FAQs

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

It depicts dissolution through inundation: entire regions—especially those described as mleccha-dominated—are flooded, even mountainous tracts, signaling the sweeping, indiscriminate reach of Pralaya.

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

Indirectly, it frames the limits of worldly sovereignty: kingdoms and peoples can be erased by cosmic events, urging rulers and householders toward dharma, preparedness, and detachment rather than pride in territorial power.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vastu or ritual rule is stated; the takeaway is contextual—Pralaya imagery often underlines why sacred architecture and rites aim at enduring merit (punya) rather than merely permanent material security.