Shloka 39

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

Devanagari script

पुत्रं प्रजापते देहि शक्रजेतारमूर्जितम् यो नास्त्रशस्त्रैर्वध्यत्वं गच्छेत्त्रिदिववासिनाम् //

Transliteration

putraṃ prajāpate dehi śakrajetāramūrjitam yo nāstraśastrairvadhyatvaṃ gacchettridivavāsinām //

Translation

“O Prajāpati, grant me a son—strong and full of might—who can conquer Śakra (Indra), and who would not fall into the state of being slain by the weapons and missiles of the dwellers of heaven.”

Word by Word

• पुत्रम् (putram): a son

• प्रजापते (prajāpate): O Prajāpati (Lord of creatures)

• देहि (dehi): grant, give

• शक्र-जेतारम् (śakra-jetāram): conqueror of Śakra/Indra

• ऊर्जितम् (ūrjitam): powerful, vigorous

• यः (yaḥ): who

• न (na): not

• अस्त्र-शस्त्रैः (astra-śastraiḥ): by missiles and weapons

• वध्यत्वम् (vadhyatvam): the condition of being killable/slayable

• गच्छेत् (gacchet): would go to, would incur

• त्रिदिव-वासिनाम् (tridiva-vāsinām): of the inhabitants of the three heavens (celestial beings/devas).

Speaker

• A devotee/kingly supplicant addressing Prajapati (as narrated in the Matsya Purana’s lineage discourse; exact named speaker not explicit from the single verse)

Entities Mentioned

• Prajapati
• Shakra (Indra)
• Tridiva-vasins (celestial beings/devas)

Tags

• Dynasties
• Boons
• Indra
• Invincibility
• Prajapati

FAQs

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

This verse does not address Pralaya directly; it focuses on a boon-request within a dynastic/royal narrative—seeking progeny, power, and immunity from celestial weapons.

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

It reflects the householder-king ideal of seeking lineage continuity (putra) and political security; however, the request for conquering Indra and invulnerability signals an ambition that the Purāṇas often frame as a dangerous, power-driven boon requiring dharmic restraint.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or temple-architecture rule is stated here; the ritual element is implicit in boon-seeking devotion—petitioning Prajāpati through prayer as part of Purāṇic religious practice.