Shloka 56

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

Devanagari script

पुत्रो भूत्वा निष्क्रमस्वोदरान्मे भित्त्वा कुक्षिं जीवय मां च तात अवेक्षेथा धर्मवतीमवेक्षां गुरोः सकाशात्प्राप्य विद्यां सविद्यः //

Transliteration

putro bhūtvā niṣkramasvodarānme bhittvā kukṣiṃ jīvaya māṃ ca tāta avekṣethā dharmavatīmavekṣāṃ guroḥ sakāśātprāpya vidyāṃ savidyaḥ //

Translation

Becoming my son, dear one, come forth from my womb—pierce this belly, and restore me to life. And then, having obtained true knowledge from the presence of a teacher, look after (and protect) the righteous woman with due care, as one endowed with learning.

Word by Word

• पुत्रः (putraḥ): a son

• भूत्वा (bhūtvā): having become

• निष्क्रमस्व (niṣkramasva): come out, emerge

• उदरात् (udarāt): from the belly/womb

• मे (me): my

• भित्त्वा (bhittvā): having split, having pierced

• कुक्षिम् (kukṣim): the belly/womb

• जीवय (jīvaya): revive, restore to life

• माम् (mām): me

• च (ca): and

• तात (tāta): dear one/son

• अवेक्षेथाः (avekṣethāḥ): you should look after, you should attend to

• धर्मवतीम् (dharmavatīm): the righteous woman/virtuous lady

• अवेक्षाम् (avekṣām): care, protection, attentive regard

• गुरोः (guroḥ): of the guru/teacher

• सकाशात् (sakāśāt): from the presence/near

• प्राप्य (prāpya): having obtained

• विद्याम् (vidyām): knowledge/learning

• सविद्यः (sa-vidyaḥ): possessed of knowledge, truly learned

Speaker

• A mother (the woman carrying the child) addressing the unborn son (garbha-stha putra) within a narrative episode

Entities Mentioned

• Guru (teacher)
• Dharmavatī (a virtuous woman)

Tags

• Dharma
• Guru-śiṣya
• Family duty
• Protection of the virtuous
• Narrative episode

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe pralaya or cosmic creation; it focuses on personal dharma—birth, revival, and the obligation to gain knowledge from a guru and protect the righteous.

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

It emphasizes dharmic responsibility: an heir should be educated under a guru (vidyā) and then use that discernment to protect and care for the virtuous—an ethic applicable to both rulers (protection of subjects) and householders (protection of family and dependents).

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vastu/temple-building rule appears here; the ritual-cultural emphasis is on guru-based learning and dharma-centered protection rather than architectural procedure.