Shloka 67

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

Devanagari script

ततस्तु मेघरूपेण तस्याः क्लेदयदाश्रमम् भीषिकाभिर् अनेकाभिस् तां क्लिश्यन्पाकशासनः //

Transliteration

tatastu megharūpeṇa tasyāḥ kledayadāśramam bhīṣikābhir anekābhis tāṃ kliśyanpākaśāsanaḥ //

Translation

Then Pākashāsana (Indra), assuming the form of a cloud, drenched her hermitage; and by many frightful assaults he tormented her, causing her great distress.

Word by Word

• tataḥ: then

• tu: indeed/then (emphatic)

• megha-rūpeṇa: in the form of a cloud

• tasyāḥ: of her

• kledayat: soaked/drenched

• āśramam: hermitage/forest dwelling

• bhīṣikābhiḥ: with terrifying acts/alarms (frightening attacks)

• anekābhiḥ: with many

• tām: her

• kliśyan: afflicting/harassing/tormenting

• pāka-śāsanaḥ: Pākashāsana, Indra (the chastiser of Pāka/demons).

Speaker

• Sūta (narrator) describing the episode (Indra’s action)

Entities Mentioned

• Indra (Pākashāsana)

Tags

• Indra
• Rishi-episode
• Hermitage
• Divine-disguise
• Trials

FAQs

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

It does not describe cosmic pralaya; it depicts a localized deluge-like affliction—Indra taking a cloud-form to drench an āśrama—used as a narrative device to test or trouble a character.

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

The verse frames adversity as a moral test: like an āśrama enduring harassment, a king or householder is expected to maintain steadiness and dharma under pressure rather than reacting with fear or unrighteous retaliation.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or ritual rule is stated; however, the mention of an āśrama being drenched highlights the vulnerability of forest dwellings and the need for protective, dharmic maintenance of sacred living spaces.