Chapter 1 · Prathamo’dhyāyaḥ (First Chapter)
Verse 99–100
ऋषिरुवाच ॥ ९९ ॥ वञ्चिताभ्यामिति तदा सर्वमापोमयं जगत् ॥ १०० ॥
ṛṣiruvāca || 99 || vañcitābhyāmiti tadā sarvamāpōmayaṁ jagat || 100 ||
Translation
The sage said: 'Then, (Vishnu) thinking, ''I have been tricked by them (as the world was all water)...''
Word by word
- vañcitābhyām
- having been tricked (by them)
- iti
- thus (thinking)
- tadā
- then
- sarvam
- entire
- āpōmayam
- consisting of water
- jagat
- universe
Meaning
Sage Medhas explains Vishnu's subsequent thought process. The demons had agreed to be killed, but they added a condition: '...but not on land, not in the sky; kill us in a spot you find on the water.' Since the entire universe was still dissolved in the primordial waters (sarvamāpomayaṁ jagat), there was no 'land' to speak of. Vishnu realizes their offer was a trick, as there seemed to be no place to kill them. This verse is the beginning of a thought that continues into the next chapter, showcasing the demons' cunning even in defeat.