Shloka 22

Matsya Purana — Uma’s Austerities and the Slaying of the Deceiver Asura ĀḌi

Devanagari script

परिहर्तुं दृष्टिपथं वीरकस्याभवत्तदा भुजंगरूपी रन्ध्रेण प्रविवेश दृशः पथम् //

Transliteration

parihartuṃ dṛṣṭipathaṃ vīrakasyābhavattadā bhujaṃgarūpī randhreṇa praviveśa dṛśaḥ patham //

Translation

Then, to evade Vīraka’s line of sight, it assumed a serpent’s form and, slipping through a crevice, entered the pathway of his gaze.

Word by Word

• परिहर्तुम्: to avoid, to evade

• दृष्टिपथम्: the range/path of sight, field of vision

• वीरकस्य: of Vīraka

• अभवत् तदा: it became then, at that time

• भुजङ्ग-रूपी: having the form of a serpent

• रन्ध्रेण: through a crack/crevice/opening

• प्रविवेश: entered, slipped in

• दृशः पथम्: the path of seeing, the visual track (line of vision).

Speaker

• Sūta (narrator) describing the episode within the Matsya Purana’s discourse

Entities Mentioned

• Vīraka
• Bhujanga (serpent-form entity)

Tags

• Akhyana
• Deception
• Serpent
• Perception
• Narrative

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe pralaya directly; it focuses on concealment and altered form, a narrative device often used in Purāṇic storytelling rather than cosmic dissolution.

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

It highlights the practical ethic of vigilance: rulers and householders are warned that danger can approach subtly—through small “randhras” (gaps)—so one must guard weak points in conduct, security, and judgment.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Architecturally, the key term is randhra (“crevice/opening”), implying that small structural gaps enable intrusion—useful as a Vastu-adjacent caution about sealing vulnerable openings and maintaining protective boundaries, even though no explicit temple rule is stated.