Matsya Purana — Intermediate Dissolution, Shloka 5

Devanagari script

और्वानलो ऽपि विकृतिं गमिष्यति युगक्षये विषाग्निश्चापि पातालात् संकर्षणमुखच्युतः भवस्यापि ललाटोत्थस् तृतीयनयनानलः //

Transliteration

aurvānalo 'pi vikṛtiṃ gamiṣyati yugakṣaye viṣāgniścāpi pātālāt saṃkarṣaṇamukhacyutaḥ bhavasyāpi lalāṭotthas tṛtīyanayanānalaḥ //

Translation

Sa wakas ng yugto, maging ang apoy na Aurva ay daraan sa nakapanghihilakbot na pagbabago. At ang makamandag na apoy, na pinakawalan mula sa Pātāla mula sa bibig ni Saṅkarṣaṇa; gayundin ang apoy ni Bhava (Śiva) na sumisiklab mula sa kanyang noo—ang liyab ng ikatlong mata.

Word by Word

• और्वानलः (aurvānalaḥ): the Aurva fire (subterranean/undersea conflagration associated with Sage Aurva)

• अपि (api): even/also

• विकृतिम् (vikṛtim): a changed/terrible form, distortion

• गमिष्यति (gamiṣyati): will go/assume

• युगक्षये (yugakṣaye): at the end of the yuga/age

• विषाग्निः (viṣāgniḥ): poisonous fire, venomous conflagration

• च अपि (ca api): and also

• पातालात् (pātālāt): from Pātāla (netherworld)

• संकर्षण-मुख-च्युतः (saṃkarṣaṇa-mukha-cyutaḥ): discharged/released from the mouth of Saṅkarṣaṇa

• भवस्य (bhavasya): of Bhava (Śiva)

• अपि (api): also

• ललाट-उत्थः (lalāṭotthaḥ): arising from the forehead

• तृतीय-नयन-अनलः (tṛtīya-nayana-analaḥ): the fire of the third eye

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) addressing Vaivasvata Manu (end-of-age description)

Entities Mentioned

• Aurva (Aurvānala)
• Saṅkarṣaṇa
• Pātāla
• Bhava (Śiva)
• Third Eye (Tṛtīya-nayana)

Tags

• Pralaya
• Yuganta
• Cosmic Fire
• Saṅkarṣaṇa
• Śiva

FAQs

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

It lists specific cosmic fires that manifest at yuga-kṣaya—Aurvānala, a poisonous/netherworld fire linked to Saṅkarṣaṇa, and Śiva’s third-eye blaze—indicating dissolution through overwhelming heat and destructive energy.

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

Indirectly, it frames impermanence: kings and householders should pursue dharma, charity, and right conduct knowing worldly power and possessions end in pralaya; the verse functions as a warning against complacency and attachment.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or temple rule is stated; ritually, the verse underscores the supremacy of cosmic fire in dissolution, supporting Purāṇic emphasis on fire-offerings (homa) and purification as symbolic counterpoints to destructive yugānta heat.