Shloka 18

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

Devanagari script

जातं च निष्प्रभं सर्वं न प्राज्ञायत किंचन तिमिरौघपरिक्षिप्ता न रेजुश्च दिशो दश //

Transliteration

jātaṃ ca niṣprabhaṃ sarvaṃ na prājñāyata kiṃcana timiraughaparikṣiptā na rejuśca diśo daśa //

Translation

Everything became devoid of radiance; nothing at all could be clearly recognized. Enveloped by a mass of darkness, the ten directions no longer shone.

Word by Word

• jātam: became/turned into

• ca: and

• niṣprabham: without luster, lightless

• sarvam: everything

• na: not

• prājñāyata: was known/was discerned

• kiṃcana: anything at all

• timira: darkness

• ogha: flood, mass, multitude

• parikṣiptāḥ: surrounded, covered on all sides

• na: not

• rejuḥ: shone, glittered

• ca: and

• diśaḥ: directions

• daśa: ten

Speaker

• Sūta (narrative description within the Matsya Purana’s pralaya account)

Entities Mentioned

• Ten directions (daśa diśaḥ)
• Timira (darkness)

Tags

• Pralaya
• Cosmic Darkness
• Portents
• Dissolution
• Matsya Purana

FAQs

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

It depicts a pralaya-omen: universal loss of light and intelligibility, where even the ten directions cease to appear—symbolizing cosmic order collapsing into undifferentiated darkness.

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

Indirectly, it underscores why dharma emphasizes steadiness, preparedness, and reliance on sacred guidance: when worldly orientation fails (even directions vanish), righteous conduct and scriptural counsel become the true ‘light’ for kings and householders.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The verse highlights the disappearance of the ‘ten directions,’ a key organizing principle in Vastu and ritual orientation; it serves as a negative counterpart showing that pralaya negates directional order on which temples, altars, and rites depend.