Shloka 21

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

Devanagari script

दितेः सकाशाल्लोकास्तु हिरण्यकशिपादयः दानवाश्च दनोः पुत्रा गावश्च सुरभीसुताः //

Transliteration

diteḥ sakāśāllokāstu hiraṇyakaśipādayaḥ dānavāśca danoḥ putrā gāvaśca surabhīsutāḥ //

Translation

From Diti arose lineages such as Hiraṇyakaśipu and others; from Danu were born the Dānavas; and from Surabhī came forth the cattle, the cows.

Word by Word

• दितेः (diteḥ): from Diti

• सकाशात् (sakāśāt): from, out of, originating from

• लोकाः (lokāḥ): beings/lineages/peoples (here: progeny groups)

• तु (tu): indeed/and

• हिरण्यकशिपादयः (hiraṇyakaśipādayaḥ): Hiraṇyakaśipu and others

• दानवाः (dānavāḥ): the Dānavas (a class of Asuras)

• च (ca): and

• दनोः (danoḥ): of Danu/from Danu

• पुत्राः (putrāḥ): sons/offspring

• गावः (gāvaḥ): cows/cattle

• च (ca): and

• सुरभीसुताः (surabhī-sutāḥ): born of Surabhī (the divine cow/mother of cattle).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu, within genealogical narration)

Entities Mentioned

• Diti
• Hiraṇyakaśipu
• Danu
• Dānavas
• Surabhī
• Gāvaḥ (cattle/cows)

Tags

• Genealogy
• Daityas
• Dānavas
• Puranic cosmology
• Cattle lineage

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; it catalogs creation through lineage—how specific classes of beings (Daityas/Dānavas) and cattle are said to originate from Diti, Danu, and Surabhī.

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

Indirectly, it grounds dharma in cosmic order: knowing genealogies and the sanctity of Surabhī-born cattle supports household and royal ethics such as go-rakṣaṇa (protection of cattle) and proper social-ritual conduct.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or temple rule is stated, but the mention of Surabhī-born cows links to ritual economy—milk, ghee, and other cow-products central to yajña and consecration rites in Purāṇic practice.