Shloka 3

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

Devanagari script

आदित्या वसवः साध्याः पितरो मरुतां गणाः भीताः शरणमाजग्मुर् ब्रह्माणां प्रपितामहम् //

Transliteration

ādityā vasavaḥ sādhyāḥ pitaro marutāṃ gaṇāḥ bhītāḥ śaraṇamājagmur brahmāṇāṃ prapitāmaham //

Translation

Frightened, the Ādityas, the Vasus, the Sādhyas, the Pitṛs, and the hosts of the Maruts went for refuge to the Primeval Grandsire—Brahmā, the forefather of the gods.

Word by Word

• आदित्या (ādityāḥ): the Ādityas (solar deities)

• वसवः (vasavaḥ): the Vasus

• साध्याः (sādhyāḥ): the Sādhyas

• पितरः (pitaraḥ): the Pitṛs/ancestors

• मरुताम् (marutām): of the Maruts

• गणाः (gaṇāḥ): hosts/troops

• भीताः (bhītāḥ): frightened

• शरणम् (śaraṇam): refuge/shelter

• आजग्मुः (ājagmuḥ): went/approached

• ब्रह्माणाम् (brahmāṇām): of Brahmā / among the Brahmās (contextually: to Brahmā)

• प्रपितामहम् (prapitāmaham): the great-grandfather, the primeval grandsire

Speaker

• Narrator (within the Matsya Purana’s running discourse; typically Sūta recounting the episode)

Entities Mentioned

• Adityas
• Vasus
• Sadhyas
• Pitrs
• Maruts
• Brahma

Tags

• CosmicOrder
• Devas
• Refuge
• Brahma
• PuranicNarrative

FAQs

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

It shows a classic Purāṇic pattern during cosmic crisis: even major classes of gods seek refuge in Brahmā, indicating a hierarchical order of protection that often frames larger creation–dissolution cycles.

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

By emphasizing śaraṇa (refuge) and rightful recourse to a higher authority in danger, it supports the ethical idea that rulers and householders should seek wise guidance and uphold order rather than act from fear or disorder.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu/temple rule appears in this verse; its ritual takeaway is the Purāṇic principle of seeking divine shelter (śaraṇāgati), which underlies many protective rites and invocations to creator-deities.