Shloka 8

Matsya Purana — Yayati’s Fall from Heaven and the Greatness of the Righteous

Devanagari script

दृष्ट्वा च त्वां सूर्यपथात्पतन्तं वैश्वानरार्कद्युतिमप्रमेयम् किंनुस्विद् एतत् पततीव सर्वे वितर्कयन्तः परिमोहिताः स्मः //

Transliteration

dṛṣṭvā ca tvāṃ sūryapathātpatantaṃ vaiśvānarārkadyutimaprameyam kiṃnusvid etat patatīva sarve vitarkayantaḥ parimohitāḥ smaḥ //

Translation

Seeing you falling from the path of the Sun—immeasurable, blazing with the radiance of the Sun and of Vaiśvānara (the cosmic fire)—we all seem to be falling as well, as we debate and conjecture among ourselves, utterly bewildered: “What indeed is this?”

Word by Word

• dṛṣṭvā: having seen

• ca: and

• tvām: you

• sūrya-pathāt: from the sun’s path (solar course)

• patantam: falling/descending

• vaiśvānara: Vaiśvānara (cosmic fire, Agni)

• arka: the sun

• dyutim: radiance, splendor

• aprameyam: immeasurable, beyond measure

• kim nu svid: what indeed, what possibly

• etat: this

• patatī iva: as if falling

• sarve: all (of us)

• vitarkayantaḥ: debating, reasoning conjecturally

• parimohitāḥ: thoroughly deluded/bewildered

• smaḥ: we are (indeed).

Speaker

• Observers/attendants in Manu’s circle (likely sages/companions addressing the descending divine form, in the Matsya-Avatara context)

Entities Mentioned

• Surya (Arka)
• Vaiśvānara (Agni)

Tags

• Pralaya
• Matsya Avatara
• Divine Epiphany
• Cosmic Fire
• Omens

FAQs

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

It presents an ominous, awe-inducing descent “from the sun’s path,” a cosmic sign that overwhelms observers—typical of Purāṇic preludes to major world-changing events like Pralaya.

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

It models the ethical response to extraordinary omens: instead of impulsive action, the community pauses, deliberates, and seeks clearer understanding—an attitude aligned with dharmic governance and prudent household decision-making.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or temple rule is stated; the verse is primarily cosmological and visionary, using solar and fire imagery (Arka, Vaiśvānara) that later ritual traditions associate with consecratory fire and auspicious/inauspicious portents.