Shloka 21

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

Devanagari script

ते दह्यमाना ह्यौर्वेण वह्निना नष्टचेतसः शशंसुर्वज्रिणं देवाः संतप्ताः शरणैषिणः //

Transliteration

te dahyamānā hyaurveṇa vahninā naṣṭacetasaḥ śaśaṃsurvajriṇaṃ devāḥ saṃtaptāḥ śaraṇaiṣiṇaḥ //

Translation

Scorched by the Aurva fire and driven out of their senses, the gods—burning with anguish and seeking refuge—appealed to Vajrin (Indra), the wielder of the thunderbolt.

Word by Word

• ते (te): they

• दह्यमानाः (dahyamānāḥ): being burned/scorched

• हि (hi): indeed

• और्वेण (aurveṇa): by the Aurva (named) / arising from Aurva

• वह्निना (vahninā): by fire

• नष्ट-चेतसः (naṣṭa-cetasaḥ): deprived of composure, out of their senses

• शशंसुः (śaśaṃsuḥ): praised/implored, appealed to

• वज्रिणम् (vajriṇam): the thunderbolt-bearer (Indra)

• देवाः (devāḥ): the gods

• संतप्ताः (saṃtaptāḥ): greatly tormented, distressed

• शरण-एषिणः (śaraṇa-eṣiṇaḥ): seeking shelter/refuge.

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) describing the gods’ appeal within the Matsya Purana’s narrative frame

Entities Mentioned

• Devas
• Indra (Vajrin)
• Aurva (Aurva-fire)

Tags

• Pralaya
• DivineConflict
• Refuge
• Indra
• PuranicNarrative

FAQs

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

It highlights a pralaya-like motif of overwhelming, world-threatening fire (Aurva-vahni) that destabilizes even the gods, prompting them to seek a higher protector to restore cosmic balance.

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

It models the dharmic response to crisis: when overwhelmed, one should seek proper refuge and guidance from a legitimate protector/authority—analogous to a king protecting subjects or a householder turning to dharma and wise counsel rather than panic.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vastu or temple-building rule appears in this verse; its ritual takeaway is the principle of śaraṇa (seeking refuge) and invoking a protective deity/authority during calamity.