Shloka 107

Matsya Purana — Solar–Lunar Motions

Devanagari script

अष्टाशीतिसहस्राणि तेषामप्यूर्ध्वरेतसाम् उदक्पन्था न पर्यन्तम् आश्रित्याभूतसंप्लवम् //

Transliteration

aṣṭāśītisahasrāṇi teṣāmapyūrdhvaretasām udakpanthā na paryantam āśrityābhūtasaṃplavam //

Translation

Eighty-eight thousand of them—even those ascetics of upward-retained seed (ūrdhvareta)—took to the path of the waters; yet they found no end to it, for the cosmic deluge (saṃplava) had come to pass.

Word by Word

• aṣṭāśīti-sahasrāṇi: eighty-eight thousand

• teṣām api: even of them/among them

• ūrdhva-retasām: of celibate ascetics conserving vital energy (brahmacārins/urdhvaretas)

• udak-panthāḥ: the watery route/path through the waters

• na: not

• paryantam: an end, limit, boundary

• āśritya: having resorted to, taking refuge in

• abhūt: came to be, occurred

• saṃplavam: the flood, deluge (pralaya-waters).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) speaking to Vaivasvata Manu (narrative context of Pralaya)

Entities Mentioned

• Pralaya (Saṃplava)
• Ūrdhvaretas (celibate ascetics)

Tags

• Pralaya
• Great Flood
• Asceticism
• Cosmic Dissolution
• Matsya Avatara

FAQs

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

It emphasizes the overwhelming, boundaryless nature of the pralaya-waters: even vast numbers of highly disciplined ascetics could not find an ‘end’ to the flood once dissolution had set in.

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

By implication, it supports the Matsya Purana’s flood narrative where survival depends not on personal power alone but on heeding divine guidance and dharmic preparation—an indirect lesson for rulers/householders to act prudently in times of collective crisis.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vastu or temple-ritual rule is stated; the verse is primarily pralaya-focused, underscoring impermanence—often used ritually as a reminder of cosmic cycles rather than as a technical architectural instruction.