Shloka 50

Adhyaya 81 — Suratha and Samadhi Seek Sage Medhas; Introduction to Mahamaya and the Madhukaitabha Origin Account

Sanskrit

तदा द्वावसुरौ घोरौ विख्यातौ मधुकैटभौ । विष्णुकर्णमलोद्भूतौ हन्तुं ब्रह्माणमुद्यतौ ॥

Transliteration

tadā dvāv asurau ghorau vikhyātau madhukaiṭabhau | viṣṇu-karṇa-mala-udbhūtau hantuṃ brahmāṇam udyatau ||

Translation

Then two dreadful asuras, famed as Madhu and Kaiṭabha, arising from the impurity of Viṣṇu’s ears, became intent on killing Brahmā.

Word by Word

• तदा: then
• तदा: कालाधिकरण (Temporal)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तदा (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक-अव्यय (temporal adverb)

• द्वौ: two
• द्वौ: कर्तृविशेषण
• Type: Adjective
• Root: द्वि (संख्याप्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), द्विवचन; ‘असुरौ’ इत्यस्य विशेषण

• असुरौ: demons
• असुरौ: कर्ता (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: असुर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), द्विवचन

• घोरौ: terrible
• घोरौ: कर्तृविशेषण
• Type: Adjective
• Root: घोर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), द्विवचन; ‘असुरौ’ इत्यस्य विशेषण

• विख्यातौ: well-known
• विख्यातौ: कर्तृविशेषण
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वि + √ख्या (धातु) → विख्यात (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (PPP), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), द्विवचन; ‘असुरौ’ इत्यस्य विशेषण

• मधु-कैटभौ: Madhu and Kaitabha
• मधु-कैटभौ: कर्ता (Appositive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मधु (प्रातिपदिक) + कैटभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), द्विवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्व (two names)

• विष्णु-कर्ण-मल-उद्भूतौ: born from the ear-wax of Vishnu
• विष्णु-कर्ण-मल-उद्भूतौ: कर्तृविशेषण
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विष्णु (प्रातिपदिक) + कर्ण (प्रातिपदिक) + मल (प्रातिपदिक) + उद्भूत (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (PPP) ‘उद्भूत’, पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), द्विवचन; ‘असुरौ’ इत्यस्य विशेषण; समासः—विष्णोः कर्णमलात् उद्भूतौ

• हन्तुम्: to kill
• हन्तुम्: प्रयोजन (Purpose)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √हन् (धातु)
• Form: तुमुन्-प्रत्ययान्त (Infinitive), अव्ययभाव; प्रयोजनार्थक

• ब्रह्माणम्: Brahmā
• ब्रह्माणम्: कर्म (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मन्/ब्रह्मा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• उद्यतौ: ready/intent
• उद्यतौ: कर्तृविशेषण
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उद् + √यम् (धातु) → उद्यत (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (PPP/adj. ‘ready/raised’), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), द्विवचन; ‘असुरौ’ इत्यस्य विशेषण

Speakers

• Medhas Ṛṣi narrating

Primary Deities

• Madhu
• Kaiṭabha
• Viṣṇu
• Brahmā

Shakti Aspects

• Context for invoking Yogānidrā/Devī to awaken Viṣṇu

Key Themes

• Mythic conflict
• Threat to creation principle (Brahmā)
• Chaos arising during dissolution

FAQs

What is the philosophical or ethical takeaway?

When sustaining consciousness (Viṣṇu) is withdrawn into yogic sleep, disruptive tendencies (asuras) arise and threaten creative order (Brahmā). The narrative underscores the need for awakened discernment and divine support to restore balance.

How does this fit the Pancalakshana (5 characteristics)?

Linked to pratisarga-cosmology and the functional protection of cosmic offices (Brahmā/creation), a common Purāṇic motif accompanying creation cycles.

What is the esoteric significance?

Asuras ‘born from ear-impurity’ can symbolize distortions arising from flawed reception (śravaṇa) or mishearing of truth—threatening right creation (ordered thought). Awakening requires the intervention of higher śakti.