Shloka 6

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

Devanagari script

ततस्ते ब्रह्मणो ऽभ्याशं जग्मुर्भयनिपीडिताः भीतांश्च त्रिदशान्दृष्ट्वा ब्रह्मा तेषामुवाच ह //

Transliteration

tataste brahmaṇo 'bhyāśaṃ jagmurbhayanipīḍitāḥ bhītāṃśca tridaśāndṛṣṭvā brahmā teṣāmuvāca ha //

Translation

Then, tormented by fear, they went near Brahmā. Seeing those thirty gods frightened, Brahmā spoke to them.

Word by Word

• tataḥ: then

• te: they

• brahmaṇaḥ: of Brahmā / to Brahmā

• abhyāśam: the vicinity, near presence

• jagmuḥ: went

• bhaya-nipīḍitāḥ: pressed/afflicted by fear

• bhītān: frightened

• ca: and

• tridaśān: the thirty (i.e., the gods, Devas)

• dṛṣṭvā: having seen

• brahmā: Brahmā

• teṣām: to them / of them

• uvāca: said, spoke

• ha: indeed (narrative particle)

Speaker

• Sūta / Purāṇic narrator (narrating events; Brahmā speaks next)

Entities Mentioned

• Brahmā
• Tridaśa (Devas)

Tags

• Devas
• Refuge
• Brahmā
• Cosmogony
• Divine counsel

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; it shows a cosmic crisis-response pattern where the Devas seek Brahmā’s counsel—an administrative/cosmic order motif that often frames larger creation-destruction cycles in Purāṇic narration.

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

By analogy, it models dharmic conduct in danger: when overwhelmed, one should seek guidance from a legitimate authority (guru/elder/king or scripture) rather than act from panic—an ethical principle consistent with Purāṇic rajadharma and gṛhastha discipline.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or ritual procedure is stated in this verse; its significance is narrative—establishing that Brahmā is the refuge and decision-point before subsequent instructions, which in other contexts can include rites, vows, or prescribed actions.