Shloka 50

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

Devanagari script

*कच उवाच भवत्प्रसादान्न जहाति मां स्मृतिः सर्वं स्मरेयं यच्च यथा च वृत्तम् न त्व् एवं स्यात्तपसः क्षयो मे तत क्लेशं घोरतरं स्मरामि //

Transliteration

*kaca uvāca bhavatprasādānna jahāti māṃ smṛtiḥ sarvaṃ smareyaṃ yacca yathā ca vṛttam na tv evaṃ syāttapasaḥ kṣayo me tata kleśaṃ ghorataraṃ smarāmi //

Translation

Kaca said: By your grace my memory does not leave me; I can recall everything—what happened, and how it happened. Yet if this should mean the wasting away of my austerity (tapas), then I remember a suffering even more dreadful than that.

Word by Word

• कचः: Kaca

• उवाच: said

• भवत्-प्रसादात्: by your grace/favor

• न: not

• जहाति: abandons, leaves

• माम्: me

• स्मृतिः: memory, recollection

• सर्वम्: everything

• स्मरेयम्: I would remember/I can recall

• यत् च: whatever

• यथा च: and in what manner

• वृत्तम्: what occurred, the event

• न तु: but not/and yet

• एवम्: thus, in this way

• स्यात्: should be, might become

• तपसः: of austerity, penance

• क्षयः: loss, diminution

• मे: for me, my

• ततः: then, from that

• क्लेशम्: suffering, affliction

• घोरतरम्: more terrible, more dreadful

• स्मरामि: I remember, I call to mind.

Speaker

• Kaca

Entities Mentioned

• Kaca

Tags

• Memory
• Grace
• Tapas
• Ethics
• Narrative

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss pralaya directly; it highlights how remembrance can arise through grace, alongside concern that spiritual power (tapas) might diminish as a consequence.

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

It underscores a dharmic principle relevant to all roles: seek clarity and knowledge, but remain vigilant about the ethical and spiritual cost—protecting one’s discipline (tapas) and integrity while pursuing outcomes.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No vastu, temple-building, or ritual procedure is specified; the focus is internal discipline—memory gained by favor and the potential loss of accumulated austerity.