Shloka 49

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

Devanagari script

दृष्ट्वा तु तावुवाचेदं ब्रह्मा कश्यप एव च मुञ्चैनं पुत्र देवेन्द्रं किमनेन प्रयोजनम् //

Transliteration

dṛṣṭvā tu tāvuvācedaṃ brahmā kaśyapa eva ca muñcainaṃ putra devendraṃ kimanena prayojanam //

Translation

Seeing him, Brahmā and Kaśyapa spoke these words: “Release him, my son, O Devendra—what purpose is served by keeping him bound?”

Word by Word

• दृष्ट्वा (dṛṣṭvā): having seen

• तु (tu): then/indeed

• तौ (tau): the two (of them)

• उवाच (uvāca): said/spoke

• इदम् (idam): this (these words)

• ब्रह्मा (brahmā): Brahmā

• कश्यपः (kaśyapaḥ): Kaśyapa

• एव (eva): indeed/also

• च (ca): and

• मुञ्च (muñca): release (imperative)

• एनम् (enam): him

• पुत्र (putra): O son

• देवेन्द्रम् (devendram): O Devendra/Indra, lord of the gods

• किम् (kim): what?

• अनेन (anena): by this/with this

• प्रयोजनम् (prayोजनम्): purpose, benefit, aim

Speaker

• Narrator (within the Matsya Purana), reporting the speech of Brahmā and Kaśyapa to Indra (Devendra)

Entities Mentioned

• Brahmā
• Kaśyapa
• Indra (Devendra)

Tags

• Devas
• Ethics
• Restraint
• Puranic narrative
• Conflict resolution

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe pralaya or cosmology; it focuses on ethical counsel in a deity narrative—Brahmā and Kaśyapa urging Indra to release someone, emphasizing restraint over unnecessary punishment.

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

It reflects a dharmic principle relevant to rulers: punishment or detention should have a clear purpose; if no benefit is served, mercy and release are preferable—an ethic of measured governance and self-control.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu, iconography, or ritual procedure is stated in this verse; its takeaway is moral and administrative—avoid purposeless coercion and act with discernment.