Shloka 46

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

Devanagari script

तेषां त्वं प्रतिकर्तुं वै गच्छ शक्रवधाय च बाढमित्येव तामुक्त्वा जगाम त्रिदिवं बली //

Transliteration

teṣāṃ tvaṃ pratikartuṃ vai gaccha śakravadhāya ca bāḍhamityeva tāmuktvā jagāma tridivaṃ balī //

Translation

“Go now and surely retaliate against them—go forth to slay Śakra (Indra) as well.” Having thus addressed her, Bali replied, “So be it,” and then departed for the heaven of the gods.

Word by Word

• तेषाम् (teṣām): of them

• त्वम् (tvam): you

• प्रतिकर्तुम् (pratikartum): to retaliate, to make a counter-action

• वै (vai): indeed, surely

• गच्छ (gaccha): go

• शक्र-वधाय (śakra-vadhāya): for the slaying of Śakra (Indra)

• च (ca): and

• बाढम् (bāḍham): certainly, agreed, so be it

• इति एव (iti eva): thus indeed

• ताम् (tām): to her

• उक्त्वा (uktvā): having said

• जगाम (jagāma): went, departed

• त्रिदिवम् (tridivam): to heaven, the divine world

• बली (balī): Bali (the Asura king).

Speaker

• Narrator (Purāṇic narrator describing Bali’s action; Bali’s reply quoted)

Entities Mentioned

• Bali
• Śakra (Indra)
• Tridiva (Heaven)

Tags

• Deva-Asura War
• Indra
• Bali
• Retribution
• Puranic Narrative

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss pralaya; it focuses on a martial, political moment in the Deva–Asura conflict where Bali resolves to act against Indra.

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

In a royal-ethics frame, it reflects the kṣatriya theme of responding to hostility with decisive action (pratikāra), though the text here portrays an Asura king’s aggressive resolve rather than a prescriptive dharma rule.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No vastu, temple-building, or ritual procedure is mentioned in this verse; it is a narrative transition marking Bali’s departure to heaven for conflict.