Shloka 7

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

Devanagari script

पुत्राणां नामधेयानि कलत्राणां तथैव च दानवैर्भ्राम्यमाणानां विस्मृतानि ततो ऽनघ //

Transliteration

putrāṇāṃ nāmadheyāni kalatrāṇāṃ tathaiva ca dānavairbhrāmyamāṇānāṃ vismṛtāni tato 'nagha //

Translation

Thereupon, O sinless one, as they were driven about in confusion by the Dānavas, the very names of their sons—and likewise of their wives—were forgotten.

Word by Word

• पुत्राणाम्: of sons

• नामधेयानि: names/appellations

• कलत्राणाम्: of wives/consorts

• तथा एव च: and likewise

• दानवैः: by the Dānavas (demonic beings)

• भ्रायमाणानाम्: of those being whirled about/driven into disorientation

• विस्मृतानि: were forgotten

• ततः: then/thereupon

• अनघ: O sinless one (vocative, respectful address).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) addressing Vaivasvata Manu (probable dialogue context in the Pralaya account)

Entities Mentioned

• Dānavas

Tags

• Pralaya
• Deluge
• Dānavas
• Memory-loss
• Samsara

FAQs

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

It highlights a Pralaya-aftershock motif: in the chaos of cosmic disruption, even basic social identifiers—names of family members—collapse, showing how fragile worldly order is during dissolution.

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

It underscores that protecting one’s people requires preparedness for disorder and crisis; it also cautions householders against excessive dependence on transient identifiers, urging steadiness of mind and dharmic resolve when society is destabilized.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or ritual prescription appears in this verse; its takeaway is contextual—during calamity, continuity of rites and institutions can break down, so later restoration (including ritual order and settlement planning) becomes necessary.