Shloka 58

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

Devanagari script

ग्रसमाना इवाकाशं मुष्णन्त इव मेदिनीम् मुखेभ्यः ससृजुः श्वासान् उच्छ्वसन्त इवोरगाः //

Transliteration

grasamānā ivākāśaṃ muṣṇanta iva medinīm mukhebhyaḥ sasṛjuḥ śvāsān ucchvasanta ivoragāḥ //

Translation

As though devouring the very sky, and as though stealing away the earth, they sent forth blasts of breath from their mouths—like serpents hissing as they exhale.

Word by Word

• ग्रसमानाः (grasamānāḥ): devouring, swallowing up

• इव (iva): as if, like

• आकाशम् (ākāśam): the sky, space

• मुष्णन्तः (muṣṇantaḥ): stealing, robbing, carrying off

• इव (iva): as if

• मेदिनीम् (medinīm): the earth

• मुखेभ्यः (mukhebhyaḥ): from (their) mouths

• ससृजुः (sasṛjuḥ): they emitted, they released

• श्वासान् (śvāsān): breaths, gusts, exhalations

• उच्छ्वसन्तः (ucchvasantaḥ): exhaling, breathing out forcefully

• इव (iva): like

• उरगाः (oragāḥ): serpents.

Speaker

• Sūta (narrator) describing pralaya-like portents within the Matsya Purana’s discourse

Entities Mentioned

• Ākāśa
• Medinī
• Oraga (serpents)

Tags

• Pralaya
• Omens
• Cosmic dissolution
• Serpent imagery
• Puranic cosmology

FAQs

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

It uses apocalyptic metaphors—“devouring the sky” and “stealing the earth”—to depict destabilizing, world-consuming forces typical of pralaya portents, emphasized through violent, scorching breaths.

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

Indirectly, it functions as a warning motif: recognizing impermanence and cosmic upheaval encourages kings and householders to uphold dharma, perform prescribed rites, and govern/act without arrogance, knowing worldly stability is not absolute.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu rule is stated; ritual significance is thematic—such pralaya-omens commonly frame the need for protective rites (śānti) and disciplined observance of dharma when terrifying natural/cosmic signs appear.