Shloka 40

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

Devanagari script

इत्युक्तः स तथोवाच तां पत्नीमतिदुःखिताम् दश वर्षसहस्राणि तपः कृत्वा तु लप्स्यसे //

Transliteration

ityuktaḥ sa tathovāca tāṃ patnīmatiduḥkhitām daśa varṣasahasrāṇi tapaḥ kṛtvā tu lapsyase //

Translation

Thus addressed, he then spoke to his wife, who was overwhelmed with sorrow: “After performing austerity (tapas) for ten thousand years, you shall indeed attain your desired goal.”

Word by Word

• iti-uktaḥ: thus spoken to/so addressed

• saḥ: he

• tathā: then/accordingly

• uvāca: said

• tām: to her

• patnīm: wife

• ati-duḥkhitām: exceedingly sorrowful

• daśa: ten

• varṣa: years

• sahasrāṇi: thousands

• tapaḥ: austerity/penance

• kṛtvā: having done/performing

• tu: indeed/then

• lapsyase: you will obtain/attain

Speaker

• A male figure (husband) addressing his wife (contextually within Adhyaya 146’s narrative frame)

Entities Mentioned

• patnī (wife)
• tapas (austerity)

Tags

• Tapas
• Vrata
• Boons
• Puranic counsel
• Dharma

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss pralaya directly; it emphasizes tapas (austerity) over an immense timespan as a means to attain a desired end, reflecting the Purana’s broader theme that cosmic-scale results can follow sustained spiritual discipline.

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

It frames a dharmic response to grief within household life: endurance and disciplined spiritual practice (tapas) are presented as legitimate means to overcome suffering and achieve aims, aligning with Purāṇic ideals of self-control and perseverance.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or temple-architecture rule is stated here; the ritual takeaway is the centrality of tapas/vrata-like discipline as a sanctioned method for attaining outcomes in Purāṇic practice.