Shloka 167

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

Devanagari script

तद्द्विधाप्येकतां यातं ददृशुः प्रेक्षका इव यद्वस्तु किंचिल् लोकेषु त्रिषु सत्तास्वरूपकम् तत् तत्रादृश्यद् अखिलं खिलीभूतविभूतिकम् //

Transliteration

taddvidhāpyekatāṃ yātaṃ dadṛśuḥ prekṣakā iva yadvastu kiṃcil lokeṣu triṣu sattāsvarūpakam tat tatrādṛśyad akhilaṃ khilībhūtavibhūtikam //

Translation

Even what appeared as two was seen to have become one—like spectators beholding a vision. Whatever thing, in the three worlds, had the very nature of existence, there it was all perceived: the entire manifest glory reduced to barrenness, its splendor emptied out.

Word by Word

• tad: that

• dvidhā: as two, in twofold form

• api: even/also

• ekatām: oneness, unity

• yātam: having gone to, having become

• dadṛśuḥ: they saw

• prekṣakāḥ: spectators, onlookers

• iva: as if/like

• yat: whatever/that which

• vastu: entity, thing, reality

• kiñcit: any, whatsoever

• lokeṣu: in the worlds

• triṣu: in the three

• sattā-svarūpakam: whose essential form is existence/being

• tat: that

• tatra: there/then/in that state

• adṛśyat: was seen/appeared

• akhilam: entirely, all

• khilī-bhūta: become barren/void/desolate

• vibhūtikam: having (its) manifestation/glory/power (vibhūti)

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) recounting the Matsya–Manu dialogue context

Entities Mentioned

• Three worlds (trailokya)
• Pralaya (implied dissolution)
• Non-duality (ekatā, implied)

Tags

• Pralaya
• Non-duality
• Cosmic dissolution
• Metaphysics
• Trailokya

FAQs

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

It depicts a pralaya-like state where the entire manifested vibhūti (cosmic display) becomes desolate/void, and multiplicity collapses into a perceived oneness.

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

By stressing the impermanence of worldly splendor across the three worlds, it supports the Purana’s ethic that rulers and householders should govern and act with detachment—treating power and prosperity as transient rather than ultimate.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vastu or ritual rule is stated; the takeaway is conceptual—temples, cities, and ritual prosperity (vibhūti) are also part of the dissolvable manifest order, encouraging Vastu/ritual practice to be grounded in dharma rather than mere display.