Shloka 19

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

Devanagari script

कद्रूर्मुनिश्च लोकस्य मातरो गोषु मातरः तासां सकाशाल्लोकानां जङ्गमस्थावरात्मनाम् //

Transliteration

kadrūrmuniśca lokasya mātaro goṣu mātaraḥ tāsāṃ sakāśāllokānāṃ jaṅgamasthāvarātmanām //

Translation

Kadrū and the sage (Kaśyapa) are declared to be progenitors of the world; and among cattle, too, there are mother-lines. From those mothers arise the worlds of beings whose nature is both moving and unmoving.

Word by Word

• kadrūḥ: Kadrū (a primordial mother)

• muniḥ: the sage (Kaśyapa)

• ca: and

• lokasya: of the world

• mātaraḥ: mothers/progenitresses

• goṣu: among cows/cattle

• mātaraḥ: mothers (maternal lineages)

• tāsām: from them/of those

• sakāśāt: from the presence/origin, from the source

• lokānām: of the worlds/realms (i.e., of beings)

• jaṅgama: moving (animate)

• sthāvara: unmoving (inanimate/plant-like)

• ātmanām: whose nature/essence is

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu (genealogical-cosmogonic narration)

Entities Mentioned

• Kadrū
• Kaśyapa (implied by muni)
• Gauḥ/Go (cattle)

Tags

• Creation
• Genealogy
• Manvantara
• Prajā-sṛṣṭi
• Cosmogony

FAQs

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

It emphasizes creation (sṛṣṭi) through maternal lineages—beings of both moving and unmoving kinds arise from primordial mothers—rather than describing dissolution (pralaya).

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

By grounding society in lineage and origin, it supports dharmic responsibilities such as protecting cattle, honoring ancestors, and sustaining households through proper care of progeny and dependents.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or temple-rule is stated; the ritual takeaway is the Purāṇic stress on progenitors and mother-lines, which commonly underpins ancestor rites and lineage-based observances.