Shloka 14

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

Devanagari script

अथ देवा भयोद्विग्नाः काव्यादुशनसस्तदा ऊचुः कचमुपागम्य ज्येष्ठं पुत्रं बृहस्पतेः //

Transliteration

atha devā bhayodvignāḥ kāvyāduśanasastadā ūcuḥ kacamupāgamya jyeṣṭhaṃ putraṃ bṛhaspateḥ //

Translation

Then the gods, shaken with fear, approached Kaca, the eldest son of Bṛhaspati, and spoke to him of the danger arising from Kāvya Uśanas (Śukra).

Word by Word

• अथ: then

• देवा: the gods

• भयोद्विग्नाः: agitated/terrified by fear

• काव्यात्: from Kāvya (Śukra), the Bhṛgu-line preceptor of the Asuras

• उशनसः: Uśanas (Śukra)

• तदा: at that time

• ऊचुः: spoke/said

• कचम्: to Kacha

• उपागम्य: having approached

• ज्येष्ठम्: the eldest

• पुत्रम्: son

• बृहस्पतेः: of Bṛhaspati

Speaker

• Narrator (Purāṇic narrator continuing the episode; the Devas are the ones who speak within the narrative)

Entities Mentioned

• Devas
• Kacha
• Brihaspati
• Kavya Ushanas (Shukra)

Tags

• Deva-Asura
• Sanjivani
• Mantra-vidya
• Guru-shishya
• Puranic narrative

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it introduces a Deva–Asura episode where the gods, fearful of Śukra’s power, seek help from Kacha.

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

Indirectly, it highlights a dharmic strategy: when threatened, one seeks counsel from qualified authorities (a principle relevant to rulers and householders—consulting competent advisers rather than acting rashly).

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or temple-ritual rule is stated in this verse; its focus is on approaching a guru-line figure (Kacha) in a crisis, a common Purāṇic setup for later transmission of sacred knowledge.