Shloka 12

Matsya Purana — Inquiry into Taraka’s Slaying and the Prelude to Guha

Devanagari script

*ऋषय ऊचुः अत्याश्चर्यवती रम्या कथेयं पापनाशिनी विस्तरेण हि नो ब्रूहि याथातथ्येन शृण्वताम् //

Transliteration

*ṛṣaya ūcuḥ atyāścaryavatī ramyā katheyaṃ pāpanāśinī vistareṇa hi no brūhi yāthātathyena śṛṇvatām //

Translation

The sages said: “This tale is exceedingly wondrous and delightful, and it destroys sin. Please tell it to us in full detail, exactly as it happened, as we listen.”

Word by Word

• ṛṣayaḥ: the sages

• ūcuḥ: said

• ati-āścarya-vatī: exceedingly marvelous

• ramyā: delightful, charming

• kathā: narrative, story

• iyam: this

• pāpa-nāśinī: sin-destroying, purifying

• vistareṇa: in detail, at length

• hi: indeed

• naḥ: to us

• brūhi: tell (imperative)

• yāthā-tathyena: in accordance with the facts, as it truly was

• śṛṇvatām: of us who are listening

Speaker

• The Rishis (Ṛṣayaḥ)

Entities Mentioned

• Rishis

Tags

• Kathā
• Pāpanāśinī
• Śravaṇa
• Purāṇa
• Dialogue

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe pralaya directly; it frames the narrative as “pāpanāśinī” and requests a factual, detailed telling—setting up a sacred account that may later include cosmic events.

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

It highlights śravaṇa (reverent listening) to purifying teachings; for householders and rulers, seeking accurate dharmic instruction “yāthātathyena” is presented as a means of moral purification and right conduct.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No specific Vāstu or ritual procedure is stated here; the ritual significance is the act of attentive listening to a sin-destroying Purāṇic narration.