Shloka 23

Matsya Purana — Genealogy from Budha to Purūravas and Yayāti; Raji’s war episode; the Paurava...

Devanagari script

सार्धमर्केण सो ऽपश्यन् नीयमानामथाम्बरे केशिना दानवेन्द्रेण चित्रलेखामथोर्वशीम् //

Transliteration

sārdhamarkeṇa so 'paśyan nīyamānāmathāmbare keśinā dānavendreṇa citralekhāmathorvaśīm //

Translation

Then he, together with Arka (the Sun), saw Citralekhā and Urvaśī being carried away through the sky by Keśin, the lord of the Dānavas.

Word by Word

• सार्धम्: together/along with

• अर्केण: with Arka (the Sun)

• सः: he

• अपश्यत्: saw

• नीयमानाम्: being led away/being carried off

• अथ: then

• अम्बरे: in the sky

• केशिना: by Keśin

• दानवेन्द्रेण: by the lord of the Dānavas (Daitya king)

• चित्रलेखाम्: Citralekhā

• अथ: and then

• उर्वशीम्: Urvaśī

Speaker

• Narrator (Purāṇic narrative voice, traditionally Sūta recounting the episode)

Entities Mentioned

• Arka (Sun)
• Keśin
• Dānavendra (lord of the Dānavas)
• Citralekhā
• Urvaśī

Tags

• Daitya-Asura
• Abduction
• Apsaras
• Heavenly realms
• Mythic narrative

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss pralaya; it depicts a mythic event where a Daitya king (Keśin) abducts Urvaśī and Citralekhā through the sky.

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

Indirectly, it frames adharma as forcible abduction and violence by a powerful ruler; the broader Purāṇic ethic contrasts such acts with a king’s duty to protect and uphold dharma.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No explicit Vāstu, temple-architecture, or ritual procedure is stated in this verse; it is primarily narrative, involving celestial movement and abduction.