Shloka 60

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

Devanagari script

तावच्चावाङ्मुखः कालं तावत्पञ्चाग्निमध्यगः निराहारो घोरतपास् तपोराशिरजायत //

Transliteration

tāvaccāvāṅmukhaḥ kālaṃ tāvatpañcāgnimadhyagaḥ nirāhāro ghoratapās taporāśirajāyata //

Translation

For that very span of time he remained with his face turned downward; for that same span he stayed amid the five fires. Fasting from food and practicing dreadful austerity, he became a veritable mass of ascetic power.

Word by Word

• tāvat: for that much/for that duration

• ca: and

• avāṅmukhaḥ: with face turned downward (head-down/face-down posture)

• kālam: for a period of time

• tāvat: for the same duration

• pañca-agni-madhya-gaḥ: situated in the midst of the five fires (pañcāgni-tapas)

• nirāhāraḥ: without food, fasting

• ghora-tapāḥ: one whose austerity is terrible/severe

• tapo-rāśiḥ: a heap/mass of tapas (ascetic merit/heat)

• ajāyata: was born/became/grew into.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction/narration to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Lord Matsya
• Vaivasvata Manu
• Pañcāgni (five fires)
• Tapas

Tags

• Tapas
• Pañcāgni
• Asceticism
• Vrata
• Dharma

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; it highlights how immense tapas is generated through extreme disciplines—power often portrayed in the Purāṇas as capable of influencing cosmic events, boons, and protection across ages.

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

It contrasts royal/householder dharma with renunciant intensity: while kings and householders typically follow regulated vows, charity, and sacrifice, this verse exemplifies the ascetic ideal of self-control (fasting, endurance) as another sanctioned path within Purāṇic dharma.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual element is pañcāgni-tapas—an austere observance involving exposure to five fires (four around and the sun overhead), emphasizing ritual heat as a purifier and a generator of spiritual potency rather than a Vāstu/temple-building rule.