Shloka 66

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

Devanagari script

प्रमथाश्चाग्निवर्णाभाः साग्निज्वाला इवाचलाः अनुजग्मू रथं शार्वं नक्रा इव महार्णवम् //

Transliteration

pramathāścāgnivarṇābhāḥ sāgnijvālā ivācalāḥ anujagmū rathaṃ śārvaṃ nakrā iva mahārṇavam //

Translation

The Pramathas—radiant with the hue of fire, like mountains wreathed in tongues of flame—followed after Śarva’s chariot, as crocodiles follow in the great ocean.

Word by Word

• प्रमथाः: the Pramathas (Shiva’s fierce attendants)

• च: and

• अग्नि-वर्ण-आभाः: having the luster/color of fire

• स-अग्नि-ज्वालाः: with flames of fire (as if flaming)

• इव: like

• अचलाः: mountains

• अनुजग्मुः: followed, went after

• रथम्: the chariot

• शार्वम्: belonging to Śarva (Shiva)

• नक्राः: crocodiles

• इव: like

• महा-अर्णवम्: the great ocean

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) describing the scene

Entities Mentioned

• Pramathas
• Śarva (Shiva)
• Ratha (chariot)

Tags

• Shaiva
• Pramathas
• Iconography
• Procession
• Mythic Imagery

FAQs

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

It does not directly teach Pralaya; instead, it uses cosmic-scale imagery (mountain-fire and ocean-crocodiles) to convey the overwhelming, elemental power of Shiva’s hosts.

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

Indirectly, it models the Purāṇic ideal of orderly retinues and loyal followership—an image that parallels how a king’s forces should move in disciplined accompaniment to their sovereign.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No explicit Vāstu or ritual procedure is stated; the verse is primarily iconographic and poetic, useful for visualizing Pramathas in temple art or ritual narration as fire-bright, fearsome attendants of Shiva.