Shloka 67

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

Devanagari script

सुह्मा मल्ला विदेहाश्च मालवाः काशिकोसलाः भवनं वैनतेयस्य दैत्येन्द्रेणाभिकम्पितम् //

Transliteration

suhmā mallā videhāśca mālavāḥ kāśikosalāḥ bhavanaṃ vainateyasya daityendreṇābhikampitam //

Translation

Suhmā, the Mallā-s, the Videha-s, the Mālava-s, and the peoples of Kāśī and Kosala—(all were shaken); and the abode of Vainateya (Garuḍa) was violently convulsed by the lord of the Dānavas (the Daitya-king).

Word by Word

• सुह्माः (suhmāḥ): the Suhma people/region

• मल्लाः (mallāḥ): the Mallas

• विदेहाः (videhāḥ): the Videhas (Mithilā region)

• च (ca): and

• मालवाः (mālavāḥ): the Mālavas (Malwa region)

• काशिकोसलाः (kāśi-kosalāḥ): the peoples/lands of Kāśī and Kosala

• भवनम् (bhavanam): abode, dwelling

• वैनतेयस्य (vainateyasya): of Vainateya, i.e., Garuḍa

• दैत्येन्द्रेण (daityendreṇa): by the king/lord of the Daityas (demonic powers)

• अभिकम्पितम् (abhikampitam): shaken, made to tremble, convulsed.

Speaker

• Likely Sūta (narrator) recounting events within the Matsya Purana’s dialogue framework

Entities Mentioned

• Suhmā
• Mallā
• Videha
• Mālava
• Kāśī
• Kosala
• Vainateya (Garuḍa)
• Daityendra (Daitya-king)

Tags

• Janapadas
• Portents
• Daityas
• Puranic geography
• Cosmic disturbance

FAQs

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

It does not describe cosmic dissolution directly; it depicts a large-scale, omen-like shaking affecting multiple regions and even Garuḍa’s abode, signaling extraordinary upheaval associated with Daitya power.

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

By portraying widespread disturbance across janapadas, it implies a king’s duty to read portents, protect subjects, and restore order (rakṣaṇa and śānti measures) when society is threatened by violent forces.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The verse is not a Vāstu rule, but the idea of a ‘bhavana’ being shaken supports the ritual need for śānti (appeasement) rites and protective consecrations when buildings/settlements are afflicted by ominous tremors.