Shloka 42

Matsya Purana — The Gods Seek Śiva’s Refuge: The Cosmic Chariot Prepared for the Burning of T...

Devanagari script

तस्मिंश्च वीर्यवृद्ध्यर्थं वासुकिर्नागपार्थिवः तेजःसंवसनार्थं वै मुमोचातिविषो विषम् //

Transliteration

tasmiṃśca vīryavṛddhyarthaṃ vāsukirnāgapārthivaḥ tejaḥsaṃvasanārthaṃ vai mumocātiviṣo viṣam //

Translation

In that undertaking, Vāsuki—the sovereign of the Nāgas—released a most virulent poison, intending thereby to increase potency and to serve as a fiery, radiant covering for the work at hand.

Word by Word

• तस्मिन् (tasmin): in that (context/act)

• च (ca): and

• वीर्यवृद्ध्यर्थम् (vīrya-vṛddhy-artham): for the purpose of increasing vigor/power/potency

• वासुकिः (vāsukiḥ): Vāsuki

• नागपार्थिवः (nāga-pārthivaḥ): the king/lord of the Nāgas (serpents)

• तेजःसंवसनार्थम् (tejaḥ-saṃvasana-artham): for the purpose of being a radiant/fiery covering or enveloping blaze

• वै (vai): indeed

• मुमोच (mumoca): released/let loose

• अतिविषः (ati-viṣaḥ): extremely poisonous, most virulent

• विषम् (viṣam): poison

Speaker

• Sūta (narrator) reporting the Purāṇic account (within the Matsya Purana’s discourse framework)

Entities Mentioned

• Vāsuki
• Nāgas
• Ati-viṣa (deadly poison)

Tags

• Cosmology
• Nāga lore
• Poison (Hālāhala/Ati-viṣa)
• Mythic episodes
• Puranic narrative

FAQs

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

This verse is not describing Pralaya directly; it depicts a mythic mechanism of unleashed cosmic hazard (deadly poison) used within a divine undertaking, a theme that often parallels how immense forces must be contained and regulated in Purāṇic cosmology.

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

By portraying Vāsuki as a “nāga-pārthiva” (a ruler) who unleashes a powerful but dangerous force for a defined purpose, the verse indirectly reflects the ethical ideal that power must be deployed intentionally and responsibly—never aimlessly—an important principle for kingship and disciplined household life.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or temple-building rule is stated; however, the imagery of “tejaḥ-saṃvasana” (a radiant covering/enveloping blaze) aligns with ritual symbolism of protective enclosures and controlled energies (e.g., safeguarding sacred work through prescribed containment and purification).