Shloka 11

Matsya Purana — Inquiry into Yayāti’s Story and the Kacha–Devayānī Episode

Devanagari script

तान्पुनर् जीवयामास काव्यो विद्याबलाश्रयात् ततस्ते पुनरुत्थाय योधयांचक्रिरे सुरान् //

Transliteration

tānpunar jīvayāmāsa kāvyo vidyābalāśrayāt tataste punarutthāya yodhayāṃcakrire surān //

Translation

Then Kāvya (Śukra) revived them again, relying on the power of his sacred knowledge; and they, rising once more, resumed battle against the gods.

Word by Word

• तान् (tān): them

• पुनर् (punar): again

• जीवयामास (jīvayāmāsa): brought to life, revived

• काव्यः (kāvyaḥ): Kāvya, i.e., Śukra (preceptor of the Asuras)

• विद्या (vidyā): sacred knowledge, mantra-lore

• बल (bala): power, potency

• आश्रयात् (āśrayāt): by taking refuge in, relying upon

• ततः (tataḥ): then, thereafter

• ते (te): they

• पुनरुत्थाय (punar-utthāya): rising again, getting up again

• योधयाम् (yodhayām): to fighting/battling (in the sense of engaging in combat)

• चक्रिरे (cakrire): they did, they undertook

• सुरान् (surān): the gods (Devas).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (narrating to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Kāvya (Śukra)
• Suras (Devas)

Tags

• Asura-Deva war
• Sanjivani Vidya
• Mantra-shakti
• Puranic battles
• Matsya Purana narrative

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it highlights vidyā-bala (the power of sacred knowledge/mantra) as a force that can restore life and thereby alter the course of cosmic conflict.

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

Indirectly, it underscores that knowledge and disciplined spiritual power can be decisive—suggesting that rulers and householders should honor learned teachers and uphold right learning, since vidyā can protect, restore, and guide action in crisis.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or temple-architecture rule is stated here; the ritual takeaway is the Purāṇic emphasis on mantra-vidyā and its efficacy when properly mastered and applied by an authorized preceptor like Śukra.