Shloka 17

Matsya Purana — The Battle for Tripura: Portents

Devanagari script

तेन शब्देन मकरा नक्रास्तिमितिमिङ्गिलाः मत्ता लोहितगन्धेन क्षोभयन्तो महार्णवम् //

Transliteration

tena śabdena makarā nakrāstimitimiṅgilāḥ mattā lohitagandhena kṣobhayanto mahārṇavam //

Translation

Roused by that roar, the makaras, crocodiles, and the great sea-creatures—timingilas—became frenzied from the scent of blood and churned the vast ocean into turmoil.

Word by Word

• tena: by that

• śabdena: sound/roar

• makarāḥ: makaras (mythic sea-beasts)

• nakrāḥ: crocodiles

• timitimiṅgilāḥ: timingilas (gigantic ocean creatures/whales, sea-monsters)

• mattāḥ: intoxicated, frenzied

• lohita-gandhena: by the smell/scent of blood

• kṣobhayantaḥ: agitating, churning, throwing into commotion

• mahā-arṇavam: the great ocean

Speaker

• Sūta (narrating the Pralaya episode within the Matsya–Manu dialogue frame)

Entities Mentioned

• Makara
• Nakra
• Timiṅgila (Timingila)
• Mahārṇava (Great Ocean)

Tags

• Pralaya
• Oceanic portents
• Cosmic dissolution imagery
• Matsya Avatara narrative
• Puranic cosmology

FAQs

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

It depicts Pralaya as a phase of violent natural upheaval—ominous sounds and the scent of blood drive oceanic creatures into frenzy, symbolizing the breakdown of order and the churning of the cosmic waters.

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

Indirectly, it frames Pralaya as an unavoidable crisis; in the Matsya–Manu ethos, such portents justify preparedness, protection of dependents, and adherence to dharma even amid fear and disorder.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or ritual rule is stated; the verse functions as a portent-image. In applied tradition, such descriptions support the idea that sacred construction and rites aim to restore stability (śānti) against chaos (kṣobha).