Matsya Purana — The Strategy to Defeat Tāraka: Pārvatī’s Birth, Shloka 91

Devanagari script

व्यजृम्भत सुखोदर्के ततो मेना महागृहे प्रसुप्तप्रायपुरुषे निद्राभूतोपचारिके //

Transliteration

vyajṛmbhata sukhodarke tato menā mahāgṛhe prasuptaprāyapuruṣe nidrābhūtopacārike //

Translation

Dann, als das Wohlbehagen zu einer schläfrigen Schwere anschwoll, schienen im großen Haus der Menā die Menschen wie im Schlaf, und selbst der Dienst der Dienerinnen wurde zu einer Art Schlummer.

Word by Word

• vyajṛmbhata: yawned/expanded/grew manifest

• sukha-udarke: when ease/comfort rose up and intensified

• tataḥ: then

• menā: Menā (a proper name)

• mahā-gṛhe: in the great house/mansion

• prasupta-prāya-puruṣe: where the men/people were almost asleep

• nidrā-bhūta-upacārike: where the acts of attendance/service had become sleep-like (performed as if in sleep).

Speaker

• Sūta (narrator) describing the scene

Entities Mentioned

• Menā

Tags

• Narrative
• Enchantment
• Sleep
• Household
• Puranic scene-setting

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe cosmic dissolution; it depicts a local, narrative atmosphere of overpowering comfort leading to widespread drowsiness, suggesting enchantment or lethargy rather than Pralaya.

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

It indirectly warns that excessive comfort can dull vigilance: even household attendants become slack “as if asleep,” implying that orderly service and alertness are essential to well-run household management.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No explicit Vāstu or ritual rule is stated; the phrase “Menā’s great house” functions as narrative setting, emphasizing a large, well-appointed household where comfort can induce lethargy.