Shloka 32

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

Devanagari script

हत्वा सालावृकेभ्यश्च प्रायच्छंस्तिलशः कृतम् ततो गावो निवृत्तास्ता अगोपाः स्वनिवेशनम् //

Transliteration

hatvā sālāvṛkebhyaśca prāyacchaṃstilaśaḥ kṛtam tato gāvo nivṛttāstā agopāḥ svaniveśanam //

Translation

Having slain the sālā-vṛkas as well, he made restitution, measured out in portions like sesame-seeds. Thereupon those cows, now without their herdsmen, returned to their own dwelling-place.

Word by Word

• hatvā: having killed/slain

• sālāvṛkebhyaḥ: from/against the sālā-vṛkas (a wolf-like predator/hostile band, lit. 'hall/house-wolves')

• ca: and

• prāyacchan: he gave/handed over (as compensation)

• tilaśaḥ: in tiny portions, grain-by-grain (like sesame)

• kṛtam: what was done / the deed / the required making (restitution)

• tataḥ: then/thereupon

• gāvaḥ: the cows

• nivṛttāḥ: returned/went back

• tāḥ: those

• agopāḥ: without cowherds/unguarded

• sva-niveśanam: to their own abode/settlement/cowshed.

Speaker

• Sūta (narrative voice relaying the Purāṇic account; internal speaker not explicit in this single verse)

Entities Mentioned

• gāvaḥ (cows)

Tags

• Cattle-protection
• Restitution
• Pastoral-order
• Dharma
• Narrative-episode

FAQs

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

Nothing directly about Pralaya is stated here; the verse focuses on a local ethical-narrative moment—removing a threat and making restitution—rather than cosmic dissolution.

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

It reflects dharma through protection of vulnerable property (cattle) and the principle that harm must be followed by practical restitution (prāyaścitta/compensation), restoring social order after violence.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or temple-ritual rule is stated; the only ritual-ethical note is the emphasis on restitution given in measured portions (tilaśaḥ), highlighting careful, accountable reparation.