Shloka 8

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

Devanagari script

ततः काले तु कस्मिंश्चिद् दृष्ट्वा वै शैलजां शिवः स्वरेतो वह्निवदने व्यसृजत्कारणान्तरे //

Transliteration

tataḥ kāle tu kasmiṃścid dṛṣṭvā vai śailajāṃ śivaḥ svareto vahnivadane vyasṛjatkāraṇāntare //

Translation

Then, at a certain time, Śiva—having beheld Śailajā (Pārvatī)—discharged his own seed into the mouth of Fire (Agni), due to another intervening cause.

Word by Word

• tataḥ: then/thereafter

• kāle: at a time/season

• tu: indeed/but

• kasmiṃścit: at some (unspecified) moment

• dṛṣṭvā: having seen

• vai: indeed

• śailajām: the mountain-born goddess (Pārvatī)

• śivaḥ: Śiva

• sva-retas: his own seed/virile energy

• vahni-vadane: into the mouth of Fire (Agni)

• vyasṛjat: he released/discharged

• kāraṇa-antare: because of another cause/owing to an intervening reason.

Speaker

• Sūta (narrator) recounting Purāṇic history within the Matsya Purāṇa discourse

Entities Mentioned

• Śiva
• Śailajā (Pārvatī)
• Vahni/Agni

Tags

• Shaiva
• Mythology
• Agni
• Skanda origins
• Purāṇic narrative

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it narrates a mythic causal episode involving Śiva, Pārvatī, and Agni—often connected to the larger cycle of divine births and cosmic administration rather than dissolution.

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

Indirectly, it reflects Purāṇic ideals of restraint and the redirection of potent energies through proper channels; in dharma-literature this is mirrored in household discipline (brahmacarya/self-control) and lawful conduct rather than impulsive action.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual cue is Agni’s sanctified role as the divine ‘mouth’ (vahni-vadana) that receives offerings; the verse echoes the Vedic-Purāṇic idea that transformations and transmissions happen through Agni, a key principle behind homa and consecratory rites.