Shloka 114

Matsya Purana — War of Devas and Dānavas: Yama and Kubera Defeated; Kālanemi’s Māyā and the A...

Devanagari script

विजृम्भत्यथ सावित्रे परमास्त्रे प्रतापिनि प्रणाशमगमत्तीव्रं तमो घोरमनन्तरम् //

Transliteration

vijṛmbhatyatha sāvitre paramāstre pratāpini praṇāśamagamattīvraṃ tamo ghoramanantaram //

Translation

Then, as the blazing supreme weapon called the Sāvitra Astra spread forth, the fierce and dreadful darkness immediately went to destruction.

Word by Word

• विजृम्भति (vijṛmbhati): expands, spreads forth, bursts open

• अथ (atha): then

• सावित्रे (sāvitre): belonging to Savitṛ/the solar (Sāvitra)

• परमास्त्रे (paramāstre): in the supreme weapon

• प्रतापिनि (pratāpini): blazing, powerful, radiant

• प्रणाशम् (praṇāśam): destruction, annihilation

• अगमत् (agamat): went, came to

• तीव्रम् (tīvram): intense, fierce

• तमः (tamaḥ): darkness

• घोरम् (ghoram): terrible, dreadful

• अनन्तरम् (anantaram): immediately, without interval

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) describing the event within the Matsya–Manu dialogue frame

Entities Mentioned

• Savitṛ (solar deity)
• Sāvitra Astra

Tags

• Pralaya
• Divine Weapons
• Cosmic Darkness
• Ritual Power
• Purana Narrative

FAQs

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

It portrays a Pralaya-like condition as overwhelming darkness, and shows restoration through a solar, Sāvitra power—symbolically, divine radiance re-establishing order by destroying tamas.

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

Ethically, it implies that leadership and household life should be guided by sāttvika clarity (light/discipline) that removes “darkness” such as ignorance and disorder—paralleling the king’s duty to dispel chaos and protect dharma.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, “Sāvitra” points to solar sanctity (Savitṛ/Gāyatrī current) often invoked for purification; in temple practice, it supports the idea that consecration and daily rites emphasize light (dīpa, sūrya symbolism) to remove inauspiciousness.