Shloka 12

Matsya Purana — Pṛthu

Devanagari script

दग्धुमेवोद्यतः कोपाच् छरेणामितविक्रमः ततो गोरूपमास्थाय भूः पलायितुम् उद्यता //

Transliteration

dagdhumevodyataḥ kopāc chareṇāmitavikramaḥ tato gorūpamāsthāya bhūḥ palāyitum udyatā //

Translation

In wrath, that hero of immeasurable prowess raised his arrow, intent only on burning her. Then the Earth, assuming the form of a cow, prepared to flee.

Word by Word

दग्धुम्to burn

एवindeed/only

उद्यतःraised/ready/intending

कोपात्from anger/in wrath

छरेणwith an arrow

अमित-विक्रमःof immeasurable valor/one whose prowess is boundless

ततःthen

गो-रूपम्the form of a cow

आस्थायhaving assumed/taking refuge in

भूःthe Earth (Bhū-devī)

पलायितुम्to flee

उद्यताprepared/ready

Speaker

Sūta (narratorial voice recounting the episode)

Entities Mentioned

Bhū (Earth as Bhūdevī)Amitavikrama (a mighty figure, likely a deity/hero in the episode)

FAQs

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

It portrays cosmic instability through a mythic crisis: the Earth (Bhūdevī) is threatened and takes a symbolic form (cow) to escape, a common Purāṇic way to signal disorder that precedes divine restoration.

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

By implication, it warns against governance or action driven by uncontrolled anger: wrath that threatens the very “Earth” symbolizes harm to subjects and stability, urging restraint and protection as core duties.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or ritual procedure is stated; the main takeaway is symbolic—Bhū (Earth) as a sanctified entity (Bhūdevī) who must be protected, a premise underlying land-rituals and later Vāstu consecrations.