Shloka 44

Matsya Purana — Origin of Soma

Devanagari script

तयोर्निपातेन समुद्रभूम्योर् अथान्तरिक्षस्य च भीतिरासीत् तदस्त्रयुग्मं जगतां क्षयाय प्रवृद्धमालोक्य पितामहो ऽपि //

Transliteration

tayornipātena samudrabhūmyor athāntarikṣasya ca bhītirāsīt tadastrayugmaṃ jagatāṃ kṣayāya pravṛddhamālokya pitāmaho 'pi //

Translation

From the impact of those two, the ocean and the earth—and even the mid-region of the sky—were seized with terror. Seeing that pair of missiles swelling in power, as if to bring about the destruction of the worlds, even Pitāmaha (Brahmā) took notice and intervened.

Word by Word

• tayoḥ: of those two

• nipātena: by the fall/impact/collision

• samudra-bhūmyoḥ: of the ocean and the earth

• atha: and then/also

• antarikṣasya: of the atmosphere/mid-sky

• ca: and

• bhītiḥ: fear/terror

• āsīt: arose/was

• tat: that

• astra-yugmam: pair of weapons/missiles

• jagatām: of the worlds/creatures

• kṣayāya: for destruction/unto dissolution

• pravṛddham: grown, intensified, expanded

• ālokya: having seen/observed

• pitāmahaḥ: the Grandfather (Brahmā)

• api: even/also.

Speaker

• Suta (Purana narrator) describing the event within the Matsya Purana’s discourse

Entities Mentioned

• Pitamaha (Brahma)
• Astra (divine weapons)
• Samudra (Ocean)
• Bhumi (Earth)
• Antariksha (Mid-region)

Tags

• Pralaya
• DivineWeapons
• CosmicOrder
• Brahma
• PuranicNarrative

FAQs

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

It portrays a pralaya-like threat: the unleashed pair of astras grows so powerful that earth, ocean, and the atmospheric realm tremble, signaling potential world-destruction unless cosmic authority restrains it.

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

By implication, it warns against uncontrolled power: just as astras must be governed to prevent universal harm, rulers and householders must restrain anger and force, using authority only under dharma and for protection.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vastu or temple-rule is stated; ritually, it supports the Purāṇic principle that destructive forces (astra/tejas) require pacification and regulation by higher order—often expressed through śānti rites and protective observances.