Matsya Purana — The Strategy to Defeat Tāraka: Pārvatī’s Birth, Shloka 151

Devanagari script

अण्डजो ह्यण्डजाज्जातः पुनर्जायेत मानवः मानुषाच्च सरीसृप्यां मनुष्यत्वेन जायते //

Transliteration

aṇḍajo hyaṇḍajājjātaḥ punarjāyeta mānavaḥ mānuṣācca sarīsṛpyāṃ manuṣyatvena jāyate //

Translation

Ein Mensch, der als eiergebornes Wesen geboren wurde, kann wiedergeboren werden und zum menschlichen Stand aufsteigen. Und selbst aus einer menschlichen Geburt heraus gilt: Fällt er in den Schoß kriechender Wesen, so wird er nur durch die wiedergewonnene Menschlichkeit erneut als Mensch geboren.

Word by Word

• aṇḍajaḥ: egg-born being

• hi: indeed

• aṇḍajāt: from an egg-born (state/species)

• jātaḥ: having been born

• punaḥ: again

• jāyeta: may be born

• mānavaḥ: a human being

• mānuṣāt: from a human (state/birth)

• ca: and

• sarīsṛpyām: in the condition/womb of reptiles/creeping creatures

• manuṣyatvena: by/through human-ness (the state/qualification of being human)

• jāyate: is born

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Mānava (human being)
• Aṇḍaja (egg-born beings)
• Sarīsṛpa (creeping/reptile class)

Tags

• Rebirth
• Karma
• Species
• Manvantara
• Ethics

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; it teaches the ongoing cosmic order where beings move through births across species, implying continuity of the soul’s journey even as worlds cycle through creation and dissolution.

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

It reinforces the ethical urgency of dharma: human birth is portrayed as a meaningful status that can be regained or lost through conduct and karmic trajectory, so kings and householders should protect life, uphold righteousness, and cultivate disciplined living to preserve and elevate human-ness.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or temple-construction rule is stated; the practical ritual takeaway is the emphasis on actions that sustain ‘manuṣyatva’—purificatory rites, charity, restraint, and dharmic observances—seen in Purāṇic tradition as supports for favorable rebirth.