Shloka 37

Matsya Purana — Agastya’s Origin

Devanagari script

मलयस्यैकदेशे तु वैखानसविधानतः सभार्यः संवृतो विप्रैस् तपश्चक्रे सुदुश्चरम् //

Transliteration

malayasyaikadeśe tu vaikhānasavidhānataḥ sabhāryaḥ saṃvṛto viprais tapaścakre suduścaram //

Translation

In a certain part of the Malaya region, in accordance with the Vaikhānasa discipline, he—together with his wife and surrounded by Brahmin sages—performed austerities (tapas) exceedingly difficult to undertake.

Word by Word

malayasyaof (the) Malaya (mountain/region)

eka-deśein one part (a certain place)

tuindeed/then

vaikhānasa-vidhānataḥaccording to Vaikhānasa rules/ordinances

sa-bhāryaḥtogether with (his) wife

saṃvṛtaḥsurrounded/encircled

vipraiḥby Brahmins/sages

tapaḥausterity/ascetic practice

cakredid/performed

su-duścaramvery hard to practice/exceedingly arduous

Speaker

Suta (narratorial voice recounting the episode within the Matsya Purana’s discourse tradition)

Entities Mentioned

Malaya (region/mountain)Vaikhānasa (Vedic-ritual tradition)Vipra (Brahmin sages)Bhāryā (wife)

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya; it highlights disciplined tapas performed in a sacred geography, emphasizing ritual-ascetic method rather than cosmic dissolution.

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

By stating “with his wife” and “according to Vaikhānasa rules,” the verse models dharmic conduct where a householder (or leader) undertakes regulated austerity with proper guidance from Brahmin sages, not impulsive self-mortification.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual significance is the explicit mention of the Vaikhānasa-vidhi—an orthodox Vedic ritual framework later strongly associated with temple worship procedures—signaling that the austerity is performed according to strict, codified rules.