Shloka 37

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

Devanagari script

अमुञ्चच्चार्चिषां वृन्दं भूमिवृत्तिर् विभावसुः गगनस्थश्च भगवान् अभीक्ष्णं परिदृश्यते //

Transliteration

amuñcaccārciṣāṃ vṛndaṃ bhūmivṛttir vibhāvasuḥ gaganasthaśca bhagavān abhīkṣṇaṃ paridṛśyate //

Translation

Vibhāvasu (the Sun), moving in his orbit around the earth, kept releasing clusters of blazing rays; and that revered lord, stationed in the sky, was repeatedly seen (thus) again and again.

Word by Word

amuñcatreleased, emitted

arcīṣām vṛndama multitude/cluster of flames or rays

bhūmi-vṛttiḥmoving in the earth’s circuit/orbit (i.e., in the terrestrial sphere)

vibhāvasuḥVibhāvasu, the Sun (fire-lord)

gagana-sthaḥsituated in the sky

caand

bhagavānthe revered lord (here, the Sun as a divine being)

abhīkṣṇamrepeatedly, incessantly

paridṛśyateis seen all around/appears repeatedly.

Speaker

Sūta (narratorial voice describing omens/phenomena within the Adhyaya’s discourse)

Entities Mentioned

Vibhāvasu (Surya)

FAQs

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

It depicts an ominous intensification of the Sun’s fiery emission—an archetypal Purāṇic portent often used to signal cosmic imbalance and the approach of major upheaval or dissolution-like conditions.

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

As an omen-text, it implies vigilance: rulers and householders should respond to extraordinary celestial signs with restraint, dharmic conduct, and appropriate rites (śānti/propitiatory observances) rather than panic or adharma.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The verse itself is not a Vāstu rule; its practical ritual takeaway is the indication for śānti-karma (appeasement rites) when abnormal solar or fiery phenomena are observed—often a prelude in Purāṇas to prescribed remedial rituals.