Shloka 34

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

Devanagari script

वस्वष्टपर्वतोपेतं त्रैलोक्याम्भोमहोदधिम् संध्यासंख्योर्मिसलिलं सुपर्णानिलसेवितम् //

Transliteration

vasvaṣṭaparvatopetaṃ trailokyāmbhomahodadhim saṃdhyāsaṃkhyormisalilaṃ suparṇānilasevitam //

Translation

He described the vast cosmic ocean—the great reservoir of the waters of the three worlds—adorned with mighty mountain-ridges, whose waves were as countless as the twilights, and whose waters were swept and attended by the wind that follows the winged (Garuda-like) flight.

Word by Word

• वस्वष्ट (vasvaṣṭa): well-formed/finely fashioned

• पर्वतोपेतम् (parvatopetam): furnished with mountains, endowed with mountain-masses

• त्रैलोक्य (trailokya): the three worlds

• अम्भः (ambhaḥ): waters

• महोदधिम् (mahodadhim): the great ocean

• संध्या (saṁdhyā): twilight junctions (dawn/dusk)

• संख्य (saṅkhya): number, count

• ऊर्मि (ūrmi): wave

• सलिलम् (salilam): water

• सुपर्ण (suparṇa): the winged one (Garuda/winged flight)

• अनिल (anila): wind

• सेवितम् (sevitam): attended by, frequented by, swept over by

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) speaking to Vaivasvata Manu (contextual attribution within the deluge discourse)

Entities Mentioned

• Trailokya (Three Worlds)
• Mahodadhi (Great Ocean)
• Suparna (Garuda / winged one as poetic marker)

Tags

• Pralaya
• Cosmic Ocean
• Matsya-Avatara
• Deluge Imagery
• Purana Cosmology

FAQs

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

It portrays pralaya through the image of an all-encompassing “great ocean” holding the waters of the three worlds, emphasizing overwhelming magnitude, ceaseless waves, and the cosmic atmosphere (wind) moving over it.

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

Indirectly, it supplies the moral backdrop for dharma: when dissolution can engulf the worlds, a king or householder is urged elsewhere in the Matsya Purana to uphold order, charity, vows, and discipline—values that remain steady amid cosmic instability.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vastu or temple rule is stated; ritually, the verse uses sandhyā (twilight) imagery—an auspicious junction-time—echoing the importance of sandhyā practices and liminal moments in Purāṇic ritual timing.