Matsya Purana — The Strategy to Defeat Tāraka: Pārvatī’s Birth, Shloka 3

Devanagari script

कालनेमिः सुरान्बद्धांश् चादाय द्वारि तिष्ठति स विज्ञापयति स्थेयं क्व बन्दिभिरिति प्रभो //

Transliteration

kālanemiḥ surānbaddhāṃś cādāya dvāri tiṣṭhati sa vijñāpayati stheyaṃ kva bandibhiriti prabho //

Translation

Kālanemi, der die Götter ergriffen und gefesselt hatte, stand am Tor; und meldete: „O Herr, wo sind die Wächter (Kerkermeister), um die Gefangenen zu bewachen?“

Word by Word

• कालनेमिः: Kālanemi

• सुरान्: the gods (devas)

• बद्धान्: bound, fettered

• च: and

• आदाय: having taken/seized

• द्वारि: at the door, at the gate

• तिष्ठति: stands

• सः: he

• विज्ञापयति: informs, reports

• स्थेयम्: the standing watch/guard-duty, keeping in custody

• क्व: where?

• बन्दिभिः: by/with the jailers/guards (those who restrain, warders)

• इति: thus

• प्रभो: O lord/master.

Speaker

• Narrator (Purāṇic narration, likely Sūta conveying the episode)

Entities Mentioned

• Kālanemi
• Suras (Devas)

Tags

• Deva–Asura conflict
• Captivity
• Narrative episode
• Command and duty
• Matsya Purana storyline

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss pralaya or cosmology; it depicts a conflict episode where the devas are bound and the practical matter of guarding captives is raised.

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

It highlights the administrative idea of custody and vigilance—prisoners require appointed guards and clear responsibility—an ethical subtext consistent with Purāṇic emphasis on orderly governance and delegated duty.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or ritual procedure is specified; the only spatial cue is “at the gate (dvāri),” implying a guarded threshold typical of fortified or palace settings in narrative descriptions.