Shloka 58

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

Devanagari script

दृष्ट्वा च तं पतितं वेदराशिम् उत्थापयामास ततः कचो ऽपि विद्यां सिद्धां तामवाप्याभिवाद्य ततः कचस्तं गुरुमित्युवाच //

Transliteration

dṛṣṭvā ca taṃ patitaṃ vedarāśim utthāpayāmāsa tataḥ kaco 'pi vidyāṃ siddhāṃ tāmavāpyābhivādya tataḥ kacastaṃ gurumityuvāca //

Translation

Seeing that heap of the Vedas lying fallen, Kaca lifted it up. Having thus attained that perfected knowledge, he offered reverence, and then Kaca addressed him, saying, “You are my guru.”

Word by Word

• dṛṣṭvā: having seen

• ca: and

• tam: that

• patitam: fallen, cast down

• veda-rāśim: the heap/collection of the Vedas (Vedic lore)

• utthāpayāmāsa: raised up, restored, lifted

• tataḥ: then/thereupon

• kacaḥ api: Kaca also

• vidyām: knowledge, sacred learning

• siddhām: perfected, accomplished

• tām: that

• avāpya: having obtained/attained

• abhivādya: having saluted, having paid homage

• tataḥ: then

• kacaḥ: Kaca

• tam: him

• gurum: teacher, preceptor

• iti: thus

• uvāca: said/spoke

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) describing the episode (speaker not explicit in this single verse)

Entities Mentioned

• Kaca
• Veda (Vedarashi)
• Guru (preceptor)

Tags

• Vedic Knowledge
• Guru-Shishya
• Vidyā
• Purāṇic Narrative
• Dharma

FAQs

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

Indirectly, it emphasizes the restoration and safeguarding of Vedic knowledge—an idea often associated with post-crisis renewal (including post-Pralaya recovery), though Pralaya is not explicitly described in this verse.

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

It highlights dharmic conduct: honoring learning, restoring what is sacred, and showing reverence to one’s teacher—values expected of householders and rulers who are responsible for protecting tradition and supporting true instruction.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or temple-architecture rule is stated here; the ritual emphasis is on abhivādana (formal salutation) and guru-veneration after receiving siddha-vidyā.