Shloka 104

Matsya Purana — The Slaying of Jambha and the Rise of Tāraka: Divine Battle Formations

Devanagari script

करीन्द्रकरतुल्याभिर् जलधाराभिर् अम्बरात् पतन्तीभिर्जगत्सर्वं क्षणेनापूरितं बभौ //

Transliteration

karīndrakaratulyābhir jaladhārābhir ambarāt patantībhirjagatsarvaṃ kṣaṇenāpūritaṃ babhau //

Translation

As torrents of water—like streams pouring from the trunks of great elephants—fell from the sky, the entire world appeared filled up in an instant.

Word by Word

• करीन्द्र (karīndra): great elephant

• कर (kara): trunk/hand

• तुल्याभिः (tulyābhiḥ): comparable to

• जलधाराभिः (jaladhārābhiḥ): with streams/torrents of water

• अम्बरात् (ambarāt): from the sky

• पतन्तीभिः (patantībhiḥ): falling

• जगत् (jagat): the world

• सर्वम् (sarvam): entirely

• क्षणेन (kṣaṇena): in a moment

• आपूरितम् (āpūritam): filled, inundated

• बभौ (babhau): appeared, seemed

Speaker

• Suta Goswami (narrating the Matsya–Manu Pralaya account)

Entities Mentioned

• Pralaya
• The Flood
• Sky (Ambara)

Tags

• Pralaya
• Great Flood
• Matsya Avatara
• Cosmic Dissolution
• Puranic Cosmology

FAQs

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

It depicts the rapid onset of pralaya-like inundation: rainfalls become overwhelming and, within moments, the world is described as completely flooded—emphasizing the sudden, irresistible force of cosmic dissolution.

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

Indirectly, it frames the ethical lesson common to the Matsya–Manu cycle: worldly stability is fragile, so rulers and householders should practice dharma, preparedness, and detachment—protecting life and preserving knowledge when calamity strikes.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vastu or ritual rule is stated; however, the imagery underscores a key planning concern found in Vastu discourse—water as a dominant force—supporting the broader Purana’s emphasis on siting, drainage, and resilience against floods.