Shloka 59

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

Devanagari script

नागास्तेजोधराश्चापि पातालतलचारिणः हिरण्यकशिपुर्दैत्यस् तदा संस्पृष्टवान्महीम् //

Transliteration

nāgāstejodharāścāpi pātālatalacāriṇaḥ hiraṇyakaśipurdaityas tadā saṃspṛṣṭavānmahīm //

Translation

The Nāgas—radiant bearers of power—who move about in the subterranean realms of Pātāla, and the Daitya Hiraṇyakaśipu as well, at that time came into contact with (i.e., pressed upon/affected) the Earth.

Word by Word

nāgāḥNāga-serpents (subterranean beings)

tejaḥ-dharāḥbearers of splendor/energy, radiant ones

ca apiand also

pātāla-tala-cāriṇaḥthose who move in the levels of Pātāla (netherworld)

hiraṇyakaśipuḥHiraṇyakaśipu (a famed Daitya king)

daityaḥdemon/Asura of the Daitya class

tadāthen, at that time

saṃspṛṣṭavāntouched, came into contact with, pressed upon

mahīmthe Earth (bhūmi).

Speaker

Sūta (Purāṇic narrator) summarizing the account in the Matsya Purana’s discourse frame

Entities Mentioned

NāgasPātālaHiraṇyakaśipuDaityasMahī (Earth)

FAQs

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

It does not directly describe Pralaya; it highlights Purāṇic cosmology where underworld beings (Nāgas/Daityas) can physically impact the Earth, implying a layered universe with interactions across realms.

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

Indirectly, it frames the Earth as a realm influenced by powerful forces; in the Purāṇic ethic, this supports the king’s duty to protect stability and uphold dharma amid disruptive powers (āsuric or subterranean).

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No explicit Vāstu or ritual rule appears in this verse; its takeaway is cosmographic—Pātāla and Nāga traditions that sometimes inform temple iconography (Nāga motifs) rather than construction procedure.