Matsya Purana — War of Devas and Dānavas: Yama and Kubera Defeated; Kālanemi’s Māyā and the A..., Shloka 131

Devanagari script

व्यावृत्तवदने ऽगाधे ग्रस्तुमैच्छत् सुरावुभौ निरृतिं वरुणं चैव तीक्ष्णदंष्ट्रोत्कटाननः //

Transliteration

vyāvṛttavadane 'gādhe grastumaicchat surāvubhau nirṛtiṃ varuṇaṃ caiva tīkṣṇadaṃṣṭrotkaṭānanaḥ //

Translation

ଅଗାଧରେ ମୁହଁ ବିସ୍ତାର କରି, ତୀକ୍ଷ୍ଣ ଦଂଷ୍ଟ୍ରାରେ ଭୟଙ୍କର ମୁଖବାନ ସେ ଉଗ୍ର, ନିରୃତି ଓ ବରୁଣ—ଏହି ଦୁଇ ଦେବଙ୍କୁ ଗ୍ରସିବାକୁ ଚାହିଲା।

Word by Word

• vyāvṛtta-vadane: with mouth opened wide/turned open

• agādhe: in the unfathomable deep

• grastum: to swallow

• aicchat: desired/sought

• surau ubhau: both gods

• nirṛtim: Nirṛti (deity of dissolution/calamity, lord of the south-west)

• varuṇam: Varuṇa (lord of waters and cosmic order)

• ca eva: and indeed

• tīkṣṇa-daṃṣṭra: sharp-fanged

• utkaṭa-ānanaḥ: having a dreadful/monstrous face

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) recounting events within the Matsya–Manu deluge cycle

Entities Mentioned

• Nirṛti
• Varuṇa
• Sura (Devas)

Tags

• Pralaya
• Deluge narrative
• Devas
• Cosmic conflict
• Puranic mythology

FAQs

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

It portrays pralaya as a time of cosmic danger and disorder, where even major deities like Varuṇa are threatened—signaling that dissolution is not merely flooding, but a breakdown of protective cosmic order.

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

Indirectly, it reinforces the Matsya Purana’s ethical theme that order (ṛta/dharma) must be protected against devouring chaos; for kings and householders, this translates into guarding society through restraint, protection, and adherence to dharma.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or ritual rule is stated; the takeaway is symbolic—waters and protective deities (like Varuṇa) are central in ritual imagination, often reflected in purification rites and water-related consecrations, though this verse itself is narrative.