Shloka 65

Matsya Purana — The Battle at Tripura: Shiva’s Strategy

Devanagari script

भूयः संपतते चाग्निर् ग्रहान्ग्राहान्भुजंगमान् गिरीन्द्रांश्च हरीन्व्याघ्रान् वृक्षान् सृमरवर्णकान् //

Transliteration

bhūyaḥ saṃpatate cāgnir grahāngrāhānbhujaṃgamān girīndrāṃśca harīnvyāghrān vṛkṣān sṛmaravarṇakān //

Translation

Again the blazing fire rushes down, consuming the graspers (grāhas) and crocodiles, serpents, the lordly mountains, deer and tigers, and even trees—beings of many kinds and colors.

Word by Word

• bhūyaḥ: again, once more

• saṃpatate: falls upon, rushes down, swoops

• ca: and

• agniḥ: fire

• grahān: seize-and-hold beings/demons (grahas)

• grāhān: crocodiles/alligators

• bhujaṃgamān: serpents, reptiles

• girīndrān: great mountains, 'lords of mountains'

• ca: and

• harīn: deer/antelopes

• vyāghrān: tigers

• vṛkṣān: trees

• sṛmara-varṇakān: of diverse forms/colours (variegated kinds of creatures)

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Agni
• Grahāḥ (grahas)
• Grāha (crocodile)
• Bhujaṅga (serpents)
• Girīndra (mountains)
• Hari (deer)
• Vyāghra (tiger)
• Vṛkṣa (trees)

Tags

• Pralaya
• Cosmic Fire
• Dissolution
• Portents
• Matsya-Avatara Context

FAQs

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

It depicts pralaya as an all-consuming descent of fire that overwhelms every level of existence—animals, fearsome beings, vegetation, and even mountains—signaling total dissolution rather than localized disaster.

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

By stressing the inevitability of destruction, it supports the Purāṇic ethic of detachment and righteous governance: a king/householder should uphold dharma and perform prescribed duties without pride in impermanent power, wealth, or possessions.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or temple-building rule is stated; the takeaway is ritual-philosophical—pralaya imagery reinforces the need for protective rites, merit (puṇya), and dharmic living rather than reliance on physical structures that are ultimately perishable.