Shloka 72

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

Devanagari script

एषा दुर्विषहा माया देवैरपि दुरासदा और्वेण निर्मिता पूर्वं पावकेनोर्वसूनुना //

Transliteration

eṣā durviṣahā māyā devairapi durāsadā aurveṇa nirmitā pūrvaṃ pāvakenorvasūnunā //

Translation

This māyā is unbearable—indeed, even the gods cannot withstand or overcome it. Formerly it was fashioned by Aurva, the son of Urvasū, through (the agency of) Pāvaka, the Fire.

Word by Word

• एषा (eṣā): this

• दुर्विषहा (durviṣahā): hard to endure, irresistible

• माया (māyā): illusion, magical power, enchantment

• देवैरपि (devair api): even by the gods

• दुरासदा (durāsadā): difficult to approach/assail/overcome

• और्वेण (aurveṇa): by Aurva (sage Aurva)

• निर्मिता (nirmitā): made, fashioned

• पूर्वं (pūrvaṁ): formerly, in earlier times

• पावकेन (pāvakena): by/with Pāvaka (Fire)

• उर्वसूनुना (urvasūnunā): by the son of Urvasū (i.e., Aurva).

Speaker

• Likely Lord Matsya (Vishnu) narrating to Vaivasvata Manu (contextual attribution within Matsya Purana’s dialogue frame).

Entities Mentioned

• Māyā
• Devas
• Aurva
• Urvasū
• Pāvaka (Agni)

Tags

• Maya
• Agni
• Rishi-lineages
• Puranic narrative
• Occult power

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; it emphasizes that māyā (a crafted, operative illusion/power) can be so potent that even devas cannot resist it—hinting that cosmic events may be driven by forces beyond ordinary divine control.

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

It functions as a caution: rulers and householders should practice discernment (viveka) and dharma, because worldly appearances can be engineered māyā—misjudging it can lead to wrong policy, injustice, or ethical failure.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vastu or temple rule is stated; ritually, the verse foregrounds Agni (Pāvaka) as an empowering medium—suggesting that fire-linked rites can be associated with the generation or neutralization of potent effects (māyā) in Puranic thought.