Shloka 27

Matsya Purana — Narasimha’s Victory over Hiraṇyakaśipu and the Catalogue of Apocalyptic Omens

Devanagari script

तस्यां प्रतिहतायां तु मायायां युधि दानवः असृजद्घोरसंकाशं तमस्तीव्रं समन्ततः //

Transliteration

tasyāṃ pratihatāyāṃ tu māyāyāṃ yudhi dānavaḥ asṛjadghorasaṃkāśaṃ tamastīvraṃ samantataḥ //

Translation

But when that illusion was checked in battle, the Dānava unleashed all around a fierce-looking, intensely thick darkness.

Word by Word

• tasyām: in that (māyā)

• pratihatāyām: when repelled/obstructed

• tu: but/indeed

• māyāyām: (his) illusion, magical projection

• yudhi: in battle

• dānavaḥ: the Dānava (demon)

• asṛjat: released/created/let loose

• ghora-saṃkāśam: having a dreadful appearance

• tamaḥ: darkness

• tīvram: intense, thick, violent

• samantataḥ: on all sides, everywhere.

Speaker

• Sūta (Purāṇic narrator) describing the battle sequence

Entities Mentioned

• Dānava
• Māyā
• Tamas (darkness)

Tags

• Deva-Asura war
• Māyā
• Tamas
• Battle narrative
• Puranic cosmology

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; it portrays a tactical, māyā-born “tamas” (darkness) projected in battle—an image often used in Purāṇas to symbolize obscuration rather than cosmic dissolution.

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

Ethically, it highlights a core dharma theme: when confronted by deception and confusion (māyā/tamas), one must restore discernment and steadiness—qualities expected of a ruler and a disciplined householder in Purāṇic guidance.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or ritual procedure is stated in this verse; the key takeaway is symbolic—“darkness on all sides” as an obstruction to right perception, contrasted elsewhere with lamp/light rites and clarity-oriented ritual symbolism.