Matsya Purana — The Strategy to Defeat Tāraka: Pārvatī’s Birth, Shloka 183

Devanagari script

ब्रह्मादिस्थावरान्तो ऽयं संसारो यः प्रकीर्तितः स जन्ममृत्युदुःखार्तो ह्य् अवशः परिवर्तते //

Transliteration

brahmādisthāvarānto 'yaṃ saṃsāro yaḥ prakīrtitaḥ sa janmamṛtyuduḥkhārto hy avaśaḥ parivartate //

Translation

Dieser Kreislauf des weltlichen Daseins, der als von Brahmā bis zu den unbeweglichen Wesen reichend gepriesen wird, wendet sich ohnmächtig in wiederholtem Wandel, bedrängt vom Leid von Geburt und Tod.

Word by Word

• ब्रह्मादि (brahmādi): beginning with Brahmā

• स्थावरान्त (sthāvarānta): ending with the immobile beings (plants, mountains, etc.)

• अयम् (ayam): this

• संसारः (saṃsāraḥ): transmigratory existence, the cycle of rebirth

• यः (yaḥ): which

• प्रकीर्तितः (prakīrtitaḥ): declared, described

• सः (saḥ): it/that (saṃsāra)

• जन्म (janma): birth

• मृत्यु (mṛtyu): death

• दुःख (duḥkha): suffering

• आर्तः (ārtaḥ): distressed, afflicted

• हि (hi): indeed

• अवशः (avaśaḥ): powerless, involuntarily

• परिवर्तते (parivartate): turns about, revolves, undergoes repeated change.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu (contextual attribution within the Matsya–Manu dialogue)

Entities Mentioned

• Brahmā

Tags

• Samsara
• Moksha
• Vairagya
• Birth-Death
• Dharma

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; it frames existence itself as saṃsāra—an involuntary revolving marked by birth-and-death suffering across all levels of beings, implying the need for liberation beyond cosmic cycles.

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

By emphasizing universal bondage to birth and death, it supports the Matsya Purana’s ethical thrust: rulers and householders should perform dharma without attachment, cultivate restraint and compassion, and seek liberating knowledge rather than mere worldly expansion.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or ritual procedure is stated; the takeaway is spiritual—ritual and merit are secondary unless they lead to detachment and insight that end saṃsāra’s helpless revolving.