Shloka 68

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

Devanagari script

विरराम यदा नैवं वज्राङ्गमहिषी तदा शैलस्य दुष्टतां मत्वा शापं दातुं व्यवस्थिता //

Transliteration

virarāma yadā naivaṃ vajrāṅgamahiṣī tadā śailasya duṣṭatāṃ matvā śāpaṃ dātuṃ vyavasthitā //

Translation

When the queen of Vajrāṅga did not cease in this manner, then—judging Śaila to be wicked—she prepared herself to pronounce a curse.

Word by Word

• विरराम (virarāma): ceased, desisted

• यदा (yadā): when

• न एवम् (na evaṃ): not thus, not in that way

• वज्राङ्ग-महिषी (vajrāṅga-mahiṣī): the queen of Vajrāṅga

• तदा (tadā): then

• शैलस्य (śailasya): of Śaila

• दुष्टताम् (duṣṭatām): wickedness, evil intent

• मत्वा (matvā): having considered, judging

• शापम् (śāpam): a curse

• दातुम् (dātum): to give, to pronounce

• व्यवस्थिता (vyavasthitā): resolved, prepared, determined

Speaker

• Sūta (narrating the episode within the Matsya Purana’s dialogue frame)

Entities Mentioned

• Vajrāṅga
• Vajrāṅga-mahiṣī
• Śaila

Tags

• Curse
• Puranic narrative
• Ethics
• Royal episode
• Conflict

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it depicts a moral-narrative turning point where perceived wickedness leads to the decision to utter a śāpa (curse).

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

It highlights the ethical weight of speech and judgment: before acting (especially through powerful words like a curse), one must assess conduct (duṣṭatā) and act with deliberation—an indirect caution relevant to rulers and householders alike.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu/temple-building or ritual procedure is stated in this verse; its focus is narrative ethics around śāpa and the consequences of wrongdoing.