Shloka 58

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

Devanagari script

दीप्तान्यन्तर्जलस्थानि पृथिवीधरणानि च तदा क्रुद्धेन महता कम्पितानि समन्ततः //

Transliteration

dīptānyantarjalasthāni pṛthivīdharaṇāni ca tadā kruddhena mahatā kampitāni samantataḥ //

Translation

Then, by that mighty wrath, the earth-supporting mountains—those situated within the waters—were set ablaze and shaken on every side.

Word by Word

• दीप्तानि (dīptāni): blazing, aflame

• अन्तर्-जल-स्थानि (antar-jala-sthāni): situated within/inside the waters, underwater

• पृथिवी-धरणानि (pṛthivī-dharaṇāni): earth-supporters, mountains that uphold the earth

• च (ca): and

• तदा (tadā): then

• क्रुद्धेन (kruddhena): by the enraged/angry force

• महता (mahatā): great, mighty

• कम्पितानि (kampitāni): shaken, made to tremble

• समन्ततः (samantataḥ): on all sides, everywhere.

Speaker

• Suta (narrating the Matsya Purana’s account; descriptive narration of cosmic disturbance)

Entities Mentioned

• Mountains (Pṛthivī-dhara)
• Waters (Jala)

Tags

• Pralaya
• Cosmic Upheaval
• Earthquakes
• Mountains
• Puranic Cosmology

FAQs

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

It portrays pralaya-like upheaval: even the earth’s stabilizers (mountains, including those in the ocean) are aflame and quaking, signaling cosmic destabilization and approaching dissolution.

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

Indirectly, it frames impermanence and the need for dharmic preparedness—rulers and householders should uphold order, perform rites, and protect society, knowing that even the natural world can be overturned in times of cosmic crisis.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vastu rule is stated, but the imagery underscores why Matsya Purana ritual traditions emphasize appeasement and stability (śānti rites) when signs like tremors, fires, or abnormal natural events threaten the land.