Shloka 133

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

Devanagari script

भृशं द्रुतौ जवाद् दिग्भ्याम् उभाभ्यां भयविह्वलौ जगाम निरृतिः क्षिप्रं शरणं पाकशासनम् //

Transliteration

bhṛśaṃ drutau javād digbhyām ubhābhyāṃ bhayavihvalau jagāma nirṛtiḥ kṣipraṃ śaraṇaṃ pākaśāsanam //

Translation

Terrified and utterly shaken, Nirṛti, moving with great speed from both directions, swiftly went to seek refuge in Pākaśāsana (Indra).

Word by Word

• bhṛśam: exceedingly, greatly

• drutau: in haste, rapidly

• javāt: with speed, swiftly

• digbhyām: from the directions/quarters

• ubhābhyām: from both (sides/directions)

• bhaya-vihvalau: overwhelmed by fear, panic-stricken

• jagāma: went

• nirṛtiḥ: Nirṛti (goddess/personification of destruction and misfortune)

• kṣipram: quickly, at once

• śaraṇam: for refuge, as shelter

• pākaśāsanam: Pākaśāsana, Indra (the chastiser of Pāka).

Speaker

• Sūta (narrative voice, reporting events in the Purāṇic story-flow)

Entities Mentioned

• Nirṛti
• Indra (Pākaśāsana)

Tags

• Devas
• Refuge
• Fear
• Puranic narrative
• Indra

FAQs

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

It does not describe cosmic Pralaya directly; instead, it shows a Purāṇic motif where a destructive power (Nirṛti) becomes fear-stricken and seeks protection from a higher divine authority (Indra), reflecting the theme that disorder is checked by divine sovereignty.

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

By implication, it mirrors rajadharma: when fear and chaos arise, one should seek lawful protection and align with rightful authority; similarly, a king must act as śaraṇa (refuge) to the frightened and maintain order against forces of misfortune (nirṛti).

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No explicit Vāstu or ritual procedure is stated; the key takeaway is the concept of śaraṇa (sanctuary/refuge), a broader religious idea that later supports temple culture as places of protection and divine shelter, though this verse itself is narrative rather than technical.