Shloka 16

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

Devanagari script

को ऽन्यो मन्मायया गुप्तां वापीम् अमृततोयिनीम् पास्यते विष्णुमजितं वर्जयित्वा गदाधरम् //

Transliteration

ko 'nyo manmāyayā guptāṃ vāpīm amṛtatoyinīm pāsyate viṣṇumajitaṃ varjayitvā gadādharam //

Translation

Who else—apart from Vishnu the Unconquered, the mace-bearer—could ever drink from that well, hidden by my own māyā, whose waters are like nectar (amṛta)?

Word by Word

• kaḥ anyaḥ: who else

• mat-māyayā: by My māyā (divine power/illusion)

• guptām: hidden, concealed

• vāpīm: a well, step-well/reservoir

• amṛta-toyinīm: having nectar-like water, filled with ambrosial water

• pāsyate: will drink, can partake of

• viṣṇum: Vishnu

• ajitam: the unconquered, invincible

• varjayitvā: excepting, leaving aside

• gadā-dharam: the mace-bearer (Vishnu)

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) speaking to Vaivasvata Manu (contextual attribution within the Matsya–Manu dialogue)

Entities Mentioned

• Vishnu
• Ajita
• Gadadhara
• Maya

Tags

• Pralaya
• Matsya-Avatara
• Vishnu-Supremacy
• Divine-Maya
• Amrita

FAQs

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

It stresses divine sovereignty during cosmic crisis: access to the life-saving, “nectar-like” refuge is controlled by the Lord’s māyā, and only Vishnu (Matsya/Ajita) can truly grant or partake of that saving power.

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

It implies that worldly power cannot secure ultimate safety; kings and householders must rely on dharma and devotion to the Supreme Protector (Vishnu), recognizing limits of human effort when divine order (māyā) governs outcomes.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The verse uses a vāpī (well/step-well) as a sacred symbol of controlled access to life-giving waters; ritually, it suggests that “amṛta” (nectar/immortality) is not merely a substance but a grace mediated by Vishnu.