Shloka 21

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

Devanagari script

युध्यतां निघ्नतां शत्रून् भीतानां च द्रविष्यताम् सागरो ऽम्बरसंकाशः शरणं नो भविष्यति //

Transliteration

yudhyatāṃ nighnatāṃ śatrūn bhītānāṃ ca draviṣyatām sāgaro 'mbarasaṃkāśaḥ śaraṇaṃ no bhaviṣyati //

Translation

Whether we stand and fight, striking down our enemies, or flee in fear, the ocean—vast and sky-like in appearance—will become our refuge.

Word by Word

• yudhyatām: of those who are fighting

• nighnatām: of those who are slaying/striking down

• śatrūn: enemies

• bhītānām: of the frightened

• ca: and

• draviṣyatām: of those who will run/flee

• sāgaraḥ: the ocean/sea

• ambara-saṃkāśaḥ: appearing like the sky, sky-like

• śaraṇam: refuge, shelter

• naḥ: for us/our

• bhaviṣyati: will become/will be

Speaker

• Vaivasvata Manu (narrative voice within the deluge episode; addressed to companions/attendants)

Entities Mentioned

• Sāgara (Ocean)

Tags

• Pralaya
• Matsya Avatara
• Refuge
• Fear vs Courage
• Deluge Narrative

FAQs

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

It reflects the deluge mindset where ordinary strategies—fight or flight—lose relevance, and survival is sought through a larger refuge symbolized by the boundless ocean, a key image in Pralaya descriptions.

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

It contrasts two human responses—courage (standing to fight) and fear (running away)—implying that in overwhelming crises a ruler must seek the most effective shelter for protecting life, rather than clinging to prideful combat or panicked retreat.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vastu or ritual rule is stated; the verse is primarily narrative and philosophical, using the ocean as a metaphor of shelter during catastrophic dissolution rather than prescribing temple-building or rite procedures.