Shloka 10

Matsya Purana — Tripura Takes Refuge in the Ocean; Maya’s Hidden Nectar-Reservoir and the God...

Devanagari script

वापीपालास्ततो ऽभ्येत्य नभः काल इवाम्बुदाः मयमाहुर्यमप्रख्यं साञ्जलिप्रग्रहाः स्थिताः //

Transliteration

vāpīpālāstato 'bhyetya nabhaḥ kāla ivāmbudāḥ mayamāhuryamaprakhyaṃ sāñjalipragrahāḥ sthitāḥ //

Translation

Then the guardians of the stepwell approached—like clouds gathering in the sky at the appointed season—and they stood with hands joined in reverence, declaring, “I am Maya,” famed like Yama.

Word by Word

• vāpī-pālāḥ: guardians/protectors of the stepwell (vāpī)

• tataḥ: then

• abhyetya: having come near/approached

• nabhaḥ: in the sky

• kāle: at the proper time/season

• iva: like

• ambudāḥ: clouds

• mayam: (I am) Maya

• āhuḥ: they said/declared

• yama-prakhyam: renowned like Yama / having Yama-like repute

• sa-añjali-pragrahāḥ: with hands held in añjali (folded-palms gesture)

• sthitāḥ: stood/remained.

Speaker

• Narrator within the Matsya Purana dialogue frame (instructional narrative in the Vastuvidya section; traditionally delivered by Lord Matsya to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Vāpīpālas (guardians of the stepwell)
• Maya
• Yama

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Water-works
• Vāpī (stepwell)
• Ritual etiquette
• Guardians (pāla)

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya; it uses a seasonal simile—clouds gathering at the right time—to convey orderly, timely approach and auspicious presence in a Vastuvidya context.

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

By highlighting “guardians of the stepwell,” it implies that public water sources must be maintained, protected, and overseen—an ethical duty for kings (public welfare) and householders (supporting and preserving community water-works).

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It signals Vastu-ritual decorum around water-structures: guardians approach and stand with añjali (folded hands), indicating reverence and the sacral-protective status of wells/stepwells in Matsya Purana’s water-architecture guidance.