Shloka 18

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

Devanagari script

अदितिर्दितिर्दनुर्विश्वा ह्य् अरिष्टा सुरसा तथा सुरभिर्विनता चैव ताम्रा क्रोधवशा इरा //

Transliteration

aditirditirdanurviśvā hy ariṣṭā surasā tathā surabhirvinatā caiva tāmrā krodhavaśā irā //

Translation

Aditi, Diti, Danu, Viśvā, Ariṣṭā, Surasā, Surabhi, Vinatā, Tām्रā, Krodhavaśā, and Irā—these are named as the primordial mothers in the lineage.

Word by Word

• अदितिः (aditiḥ): Aditi, mother of the Ādityas

• दितिः (ditiḥ): Diti, mother of the Daityas

• दनुः (danuḥ): Danu, mother of the Dānavas

• विश्वा (viśvā): Viśvā, a progenitress

• हि (hi): indeed

• अरिष्टा (ariṣṭā): Ariṣṭā, a progenitress

• सुरसा (surasā): Surasā, a progenitress (often linked with serpentine beings in Purāṇic lists)

• तथा (tathā): and also

• सुरभिः (surabhiḥ): Surabhi, mother of cattle

• विनता (vinatā): Vinatā, mother of Garuḍa and Aruṇa

• चैव (caiva): and indeed

• ताम्रा (tāmrā): Tām्रā, mother of birds in many Purāṇic genealogies

• क्रोधवशा (krodhavaśā): Krodhavaśā, a progenitress (often linked with fierce creatures)

• इरा (irā): Irā/Ilā, associated with earth/nourishment and lineage traditions

Speaker

• Sūta (narrator) recounting Purāṇic genealogy (within the Matsya Purana’s discourse tradition)

Entities Mentioned

• Aditi
• Diti
• Danu
• Viśvā
• Ariṣṭā
• Surasā
• Surabhi
• Vinatā
• Tām्रā
• Krodhavaśā
• Irā

Tags

• Ancient Indian genealogy
• Prajāpati lineages
• Creation
• Manvantara traditions
• Puranic cosmology

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it lists key progenitress-mothers used in the Matsya Purana’s creation-and-lineage framework to explain how different classes of beings arise.

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

Indirectly: by grounding society in sacred ancestry and cosmic order, such genealogical passages support the Purāṇic idea that kingship and household life should uphold dharma aligned with the established cosmic lineage (gotra, progeny, and rightful conduct).

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or temple-architecture rule is stated here; the ritual takeaway is genealogical—these names are often invoked in Purāṇic recitations to situate offerings, vows, and lineage-based rites within a recognized cosmological genealogy.