Matsya Purana — Tārakāsura’s Austerity and Boon; Mobilization for War; Bṛhaspati’s Fourfold P..., Shloka 26

Devanagari script

तस्मिन्महति राज्यस्थे तारके दैत्यनन्दने ऋतवो मूर्तिमन्तश्च स्वकालगुणबृंहिताः //

Transliteration

tasminmahati rājyasthe tārake daityanandane ṛtavo mūrtimantaśca svakālaguṇabṛṃhitāḥ //

Translation

In jenem weiten königlichen Reich—beherrscht von Tāraka, der Wonne der Daityas—erschienen die Jahreszeiten selbst leibhaftig, jede gestärkt und offenbar gemacht durch die Eigenschaften, die ihrer eigenen festgesetzten Zeit entsprechen.

Word by Word

• तस्मिन् (tasmin): in that

• महति (mahati): great, vast

• राज्यस्थे (rājyasthe): situated in a kingdom/royal domain

• तारके (tārake): in/under Tāraka (proper name)

• दैत्यनन्दने (daityanandane): delight of the Daityas, one who gladdens the demons

• ऋतवः (ṛtavaḥ): the seasons

• मूर्तिमन्तः (mūrtimantaḥ): embodied, having form

• च (ca): and

• स्वकाल (svakāla): their own time/seasonal period

• गुण (guṇa): qualities, characteristic properties

• बृंहिताः (bṛṃhitāḥ): increased, strengthened, made abundant.

Speaker

• Sūta (narrative voice, recounting the account within the Matsya Purana’s dynastic/cosmic descriptions)

Entities Mentioned

• Tāraka
• Daityas
• Ṛtus (Seasons)

Tags

• CosmicOrder
• Seasons
• DaityaLegends
• PuranicCosmology
• Kingship

FAQs

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

It does not directly describe Pralaya; it emphasizes kāla (time) and ṛtus (seasons) as powerful, almost personified forces—suggesting a cosmic order where time’s qualities govern manifestation.

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

By portraying a realm where seasonal qualities fully manifest, it implies that prosperity and order in a kingdom align with proper rhythms of time—an indirect reminder that rulers should uphold dharma so society harmonizes with natural cycles.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No explicit Vāstu or ritual rule is stated, but the idea of aligning actions with seasonal qualities supports common Purāṇic practice: scheduling construction, consecrations, and rites according to ṛtu and kāla suitability.