Shloka 27

Matsya Purana — Hiranyakashipu’s Boons

Devanagari script

यदा वरमदोत्सिक्तश् चोदितः कालधर्मतः यज्ञियानकरोद्दैत्यान् अयज्ञियाश्च देवताः //

Transliteration

yadā varamadotsiktaś coditaḥ kāladharmataḥ yajñiyānakaroddaityān ayajñiyāśca devatāḥ //

Translation

When, intoxicated by the pride of a boon, he was driven onward by the law of Time (kāladharma), he made the Daityas fit recipients of sacrifice, and rendered the gods unfit for sacrificial offerings.

Word by Word

• yadā: when

• vara-mada-utsiktaḥ: puffed up (utsiktaḥ) with the intoxication/pride (mada) of a boon (vara)

• coditaḥ: impelled, urged

• kāla-dharmataḥ: by the principle/law of Time, according to cosmic order

• yajñiyān: fit for yajña, worthy of sacrificial offering

• akarot: made (he made)

• daityān: the Daityas (a class of anti-gods/demons)

• ayajñiyāḥ: unfit for yajña, not to be offered to

• ca: and

• devatāḥ: the gods (Devas).

Speaker

• Sūta (narrator) relaying the Matsya Purana’s account (contextually within the Matsya–Manu dialogue frame)

Entities Mentioned

• Daityas
• Devatāḥ
• Kāla (Time)

Tags

• Devasura
• Yajna
• Kāladharma
• Boons
• Cosmic Order

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; it highlights kāladharma—Time’s cosmic governance—by which the ritual status of beings can be reversed, a theme that underlies larger cycles of rise, decline, and world-order change.

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

It warns that pride born of power or “boons” can distort dharma; for kings and householders, it implies vigilance in maintaining proper yajña-order—supporting rightful ritual recipients and not letting arrogance or adharma invert social-religious hierarchy.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual point is central: “yajñiya/ayajñiya” defines who is eligible to receive sacrificial offerings, reflecting how yajña legitimacy can shift under adharma and kāla; no Vāstu or temple-architecture rule is stated in this verse.