Shloka 17

Matsya Purana — War of Devas and Asuras; Birth of Aurva Fire; Countering Tamasī Māyā through ...

Devanagari script

तद्घनीभूतदैत्येन्द्रम् अन्धकार इवार्णवे दानवं देवकदनं तमोभूतमिवाभवत् //

Transliteration

tadghanībhūtadaityendram andhakāra ivārṇave dānavaṃ devakadanaṃ tamobhūtamivābhavat //

Translation

That Danava—an afflicter of the gods—became like darkness upon the ocean: the Daitya-lord, densely massed, appeared as though transformed into sheer gloom.

Word by Word

• tat: that

• ghanībhūta: thickened, densely compacted

• daitya-indram: the lord of the Daityas (demon-king)

• andhakāraḥ: darkness

• iva: like

• ārṇave: in/on the ocean

• dānavam: the Danava (demonic being/host)

• deva-kadanam: tormenting/harassing the gods

• tamo-bhūtam: become darkness, turned into gloom

• iva: as if

• abhavat: became/appeared

Speaker

• Sūta (narrator) describing the scene in the Purāṇic narrative

Entities Mentioned

• Daitya
• Dānava
• Devas

Tags

• Daitya-Deva conflict
• Mythic imagery
• Cosmic darkness
• Puranic battle-poetics
• Matsya Purana narrative

FAQs

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

It uses pralaya-like imagery—darkness covering the ocean—to convey overwhelming tamas, but it is primarily a battle/narrative simile rather than a technical account of cosmic dissolution.

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

Indirectly, it frames adharma as ‘darkness’ that overwhelms order; the implied ethical lesson aligns with the Purāṇic ideal that rulers and householders should uphold dharma to prevent society from falling into tamas-like confusion.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or ritual rule is stated; the verse is descriptive, employing ocean-and-darkness imagery rather than prescribing temple architecture or rites.