Shloka 40

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

Devanagari script

समं समधिरोहन्तः सर्वे ते गगनेचराः शृङ्गाणि शनकैर्घोरा युगान्तावर्तिनो ग्रहाः //

Transliteration

samaṃ samadhirohantaḥ sarve te gaganecarāḥ śṛṅgāṇi śanakairghorā yugāntāvartino grahāḥ //

Translation

All those heavenly wanderers (the planets), moving in the sky, rise into an even alignment; terrifying, they slowly lift up their ‘horns’—for these are the grahas that turn and churn at the end of the age (yugānta).

Word by Word

• समम् (samam): evenly, in equal alignment

• समधिरोहन्तः (samadhirohantaḥ): ascending together / rising into a common position

• सर्वे (sarve): all

• ते (te): those

• गगनेचराः (gaganecarāḥ): sky-moving ones, celestial wanderers (planets)

• शृङ्गाणि (śṛṅgāṇi): horns, projecting points (figuratively: sharp rays/peaks/portent-signs)

• शनकैः (śanakaiḥ): slowly, gradually

• घोराः (ghorāḥ): dreadful, fearsome

• युगान्तावर्तिनः (yugāntāvartinaḥ): those that revolve/churn at the end of the yuga

• ग्रहाः (grahāḥ): planets/seizers (astrological grahas)

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Grahas (planets)
• Yugānta (end of the age)

Tags

• Pralaya
• Yuganta omens
• Grahas
• Astrology
• Cosmic dissolution

FAQs

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

It presents a pralaya-omen: the grahas become unnaturally aligned and appear fearsome, signaling the cosmic upheaval associated with yugānta (the end-phase leading into dissolution).

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

As a yugānta-portent passage, it implies vigilance toward dharma: rulers and householders should respond to ominous times with restraint, charity, ritual steadiness, and protection of dependents—core ethical responses emphasized in Purāṇic guidance during संकट (crisis).

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu rule is stated; the practical ritual takeaway is that abnormal graha behavior is treated as an inauspicious sign, traditionally prompting śānti (pacificatory) rites and careful timing (muhūrta) rather than new undertakings.