Shloka 11

Matsya Purana — Bhīma-Dvādaśī

Devanagari script

कुरुभिर्देवगन्धर्वैर् अभितः कैटभार्दनः प्रवृत्तासु पुराणीषु धर्मसम्बन्धिनीषु च //

Transliteration

kurubhirdevagandharvair abhitaḥ kaiṭabhārdanaḥ pravṛttāsu purāṇīṣu dharmasambandhinīṣu ca //

Translation

Surrounded by the Kurus, and likewise by Devas and Gandharvas, the Slayer of Kaiṭabha (Viṣṇu) was present as the Purāṇas—discourses connected with Dharma—were set in motion, recited, and propagated.

Word by Word

• कुरुभिः (kurubhiḥ): by the Kurus

• देवगन्धर्वैः (deva-gandharvaiḥ): by the Devas and Gandharvas

• अभितः (abhitaḥ): on all sides, surrounding

• कैटभार्दनः (kaiṭabhārdanaḥ): the Slayer of Kaiṭabha (Vishnu)

• प्रवृत्तासु (pravṛttāsu): when begun/when set in progress, being carried on

• पुराणीषु (purāṇīṣu): in the Purāṇas, in Purāṇic narrations

• धर्मसम्बन्धिनीषु (dharma-sambandhinīṣu): connected with Dharma, pertaining to righteous order

• च (ca): and

Speaker

• Sūta (Purāṇic narrator) describing the setting/context of Purāṇic transmission

Entities Mentioned

• Kurus
• Devas
• Gandharvas
• Kaiṭabhārdana (Vishnu)

Tags

• Dharma
• Purana-recitation
• Vishnu
• Sacred-assembly
• Tradition

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya directly; it highlights the sacred transmission of Dharma-linked Purāṇic narratives in an august assembly with Vishnu (Kaiṭabhārdana) present.

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

By stressing that Purāṇas are “dharma-sambandhinī,” the verse implies that rulers and householders should learn and uphold Dharma through authoritative Purāṇic instruction and public recitation traditions.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or temple-rule detail is stated here; the ritual significance is the idea of Purāṇa-śravaṇa (listening/recitation) in a sanctified assembly as a Dharma-supporting practice.