Shloka 13

Matsya Purana — Vishnu’s Names Across Yugas and the Gods’ Refuge During the Tārakāmaya War

Devanagari script

एतस्मिन्नन्तरे मेघा निर्वाणाङ्गारवर्चसः सार्कचन्द्रग्रहगणं छादयन्तो नभस्तलम् //

Transliteration

etasminnantare meghā nirvāṇāṅgāravarcasaḥ sārkacandragrahagaṇaṃ chādayanto nabhastalam //

Translation

Meanwhile, clouds with the dull glow of extinguished embers spread out, veiling the entire sky along with the sun, the moon, and the host of planets.

Word by Word

• etasmin antare: in the meantime/at that interval

• meghāḥ: clouds

• nirvāṇa-aṅgāra-varcasaḥ: having the luster of quenched/extinguished charcoal (a dim, ashen glow)

• sārka: together with the sun (arka)

• candra: the moon

• graha-gaṇam: the multitude/host of planets (grahas)

• chādayantaḥ: covering/obscuring

• nabhas-talam: the expanse/surface of the sky

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (narrating the pralaya portents to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Surya (Arka)
• Chandra
• Grahas (planets)

Tags

• Pralaya
• Cosmic portents
• Sky omens
• Matsya-avatara context
• Puranic cosmology

FAQs

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

It describes a classic pralaya-omen: ashen, lightless clouds obscure the sun, moon, and planets, signaling a breakdown of normal cosmic order and visibility.

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

As a warning-sign passage, it supports the Purana’s broader ethic: when disorder appears in nature, a ruler or householder should intensify dharmic conduct—protection, charity, and ritual steadiness—rather than panic or exploitation.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vastu rule is stated, but such sky-omens are typically treated as ritual triggers—prompting śānti (appeasement) rites and protective observances before undertaking major acts like consecrations or large constructions.