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

அகாதத்தில் வாயை விரித்து, கூரிய கோரப் பற்களுடன் பயங்கர முகமுடைய அவன், நிருதி மற்றும் வருணன் ஆகிய இரு தேவர்களையும் விழுங்க விரும்பினான்।

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.