Shloka 12

Matsya Purana — The Greatness and Procedure of the Aṅgāra

Devanagari script

भित्त्वा स सप्त पातालान् अदहत्सप्त सागरान् अनेकवक्त्रनयनो ज्वलज्ज्वलनभीषणः //

Transliteration

bhittvā sa sapta pātālān adahatsapta sāgarān anekavaktranayano jvalajjvalanabhīṣaṇaḥ //

Translation

Breaking through the seven netherworlds, he scorched the seven oceans—many-faced and many-eyed, dreadful with blazing fire.

Word by Word

• भित्त्वा (bhittvā): having split open, having broken through

• स (sa): he

• सप्त (sapta): seven

• पातालान् (pātālān): the nether regions (Pātālas)

• अदहत् (adahat): burned, scorched

• सप्त (sapta): seven

• सागरान् (sāgarān): oceans, seas

• अनेक (aneka): many

• वक्त्र (vaktra): faces, mouths

• नयनः (nayanaḥ): eyes (as ‘one possessing eyes’)

• ज्वलत्-ज्वलन (jvalat-jvalana): blazing fire, flaming combustion

• भीषणः (bhīṣaṇaḥ): terrifying, dreadful.

Speaker

• Sūta (narrator) describing the pralaya-like destructive manifestation within the Matsya Purana’s cosmic narrative

Entities Mentioned

• Sapta Pātālas
• Sapta Sāgaras

Tags

• Pralaya
• CosmicFire
• Patalas
• Oceans
• PuranicCosmology

FAQs

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

It depicts a pralaya-like destructive surge: a blazing being breaks through the seven Pātālas and scorches the seven oceans, emphasizing the Purāṇic idea that dissolution can overwhelm all cosmic layers—below and above.

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

Indirectly, it reinforces impermanence: since even oceans and netherworlds are vulnerable in cosmic cycles, kings and householders are urged elsewhere in the Matsya Purana to uphold dharma, charity, and restraint rather than pride in temporary power or possessions.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or ritual procedure is stated; the takeaway is cosmological—temples and rites in other chapters are framed as dharmic supports within an impermanent world subject to pralaya.