Shloka 54

Matsya Purana — Maya’s Nectar-Reservoir in Tripura and the Revival of the Slain in the Tripur...

Devanagari script

भूकम्पश्चाभवत्तत्र शताङ्गो भूगतो ऽभवत् दृष्ट्वा क्षोभमगाद्रुद्रः स्वयम्भूश्च पितामहः //

Transliteration

bhūkampaścābhavattatra śatāṅgo bhūgato 'bhavat dṛṣṭvā kṣobhamagādrudraḥ svayambhūśca pitāmahaḥ //

Translation

There an earthquake arose, and Śatāṅga sank down into the earth. Seeing that great turmoil, Rudra departed, together with the Self-born Grandfather, Brahmā.

Word by Word

• भूकम्पः: earthquake

• च: and

• अभवत्: occurred/arose

• तत्र: there

• शताङ्गः: Śatāṅga (a named being/personage)

• भूगतः: gone into the earth, sunk/entered the ground

• अभवत्: became

• दृष्ट्वा: having seen

• क्षोभम्: agitation, upheaval, commotion

• अगात्: went/departed

• रुद्रः: Rudra (Śiva)

• स्वयम्भूः: the Self-born (Brahmā)

• च: and

• पितामहः: the Grandfather (epithet of Brahmā).

Speaker

• Sūta (narrator) describing the portent within the Matsya Purana’s pralaya-oriented episode

Entities Mentioned

• Rudra
• Brahma (Svayambhu, Pitamaha)
• Shatāṅga

Tags

• Pralaya
• Portents
• Cosmic Upheaval
• Deities
• Earthquake

FAQs

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

It presents pralaya-like omens: an earthquake and a being (Śatāṅga) swallowed by the earth, prompting even major deities (Rudra and Brahmā) to withdraw—signaling escalating cosmic instability.

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

Indirectly, it frames calamities as dharmic warning-signs: rulers and householders should respond to widespread portents with restraint, protection of people, and appropriate rites rather than panic—an ethical posture consistent with Purāṇic governance ideals.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Architecturally, an earthquake is a classic inauspicious sign affecting land and foundations; ritually, such upheaval typically calls for śānti (appeasement) rites to stabilize the realm and sacred spaces—useful context for readers seeking Matsya Purana Vastu Shastra tips.