Shloka 2

Matsya Purana — The Terror of Tripura and the Gods’ Hymn to Śiva

Devanagari script

सिंहनादे व्योमगानां तेषु भीतेषु जन्तुषु त्रैलोक्ये भयसंमूढे तमोन्धन्वम् उपागते //

Transliteration

siṃhanāde vyomagānāṃ teṣu bhīteṣu jantuṣu trailokye bhayasaṃmūḍhe tamondhanvam upāgate //

Translation

As the sky-ranging beings roared like lions, all creatures became terrified; the three worlds, bewildered by fear, were overtaken by a blinding mass of darkness.

Word by Word

• siṃha-nāde: with a lion-like roar

• vyoma-gānām: of those moving in the sky (celestial/atmospheric beings)

• teṣu: when they/among them

• bhīteṣu: being afraid/terrified

• jantuṣu: in living beings/creatures

• trailokye: in the three worlds

• bhaya-saṃmūḍhe: stunned/confounded by fear

• tamaḥ: darkness

• andhanvam: blinding gloom/dark mass (lit. dark ‘thicket’/dense darkness)

• upāgate: having come upon/overwhelmed/overtaken.

Speaker

• Sūta (narrating the Matsya Purāṇa episode in a descriptive passage)

Entities Mentioned

• Trailokya (three worlds)
• Vyomagāḥ (sky-ranging beings)

Tags

• Pralaya
• Portents
• CosmicFear
• Darkness
• MatsyaPuranaNarrative

FAQs

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

It portrays classic pre-pralaya portents: unnatural roaring sounds in the heavens, universal panic among beings, and an all-enveloping darkness overtaking the three worlds—signals of cosmic disorder preceding dissolution.

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

Indirectly, it frames why dharma emphasizes steadiness in crisis: when collective fear and confusion spread, rulers and householders are expected to maintain courage, order, and ritual discipline rather than succumb to panic.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or temple-building rule is stated; ritually, the imagery supports the Purāṇic idea that during ominous darkness and fear, protective rites (śānti, japa, homa) are prescribed to restore auspiciousness.