Shloka 61

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

Devanagari script

समन्युरुत्थाय महानुभावस् तदोशना विप्रहितं चिकीर्षुः काव्यः स्वयं वाक्यमिदं जगाद सुरापानं प्रत्यसौ जातशङ्कः //

Transliteration

samanyurutthāya mahānubhāvas tadośanā viprahitaṃ cikīrṣuḥ kāvyaḥ svayaṃ vākyamidaṃ jagāda surāpānaṃ pratyasau jātaśaṅkaḥ //

Translation

Then the great-souled Kāvya (Śukra), rising in anger and intending to carry out what Uśanā had enjoined, spoke these words himself, having become suspicious regarding the drinking of surā.

Word by Word

• sa-manyur: with anger, wrathful

• utthāya: rising up

• mahānubhāvaḥ: the great-souled, illustrious one

• tadā: then

• uśanā: Uśanā (Śukra)

• viprahitam: instructed, enjoined, directed

• cikīrṣuḥ: wishing/intending to do

• kāvyaḥ: Kāvya (descendant of Kavi

• svayam: himself

• vākyam: statement, words

• idam: this

• jagāda: said, spoke

• surā-pānam: drinking of surā (liquor)

• prati: concerning, with regard to

• asau: he/that person

• jāta-śaṅkaḥ: having become suspicious, having doubts arisen.

Speaker

• Narrator (Purāṇic narrator describing Kāvya/Śukra’s action)

Entities Mentioned

• Kāvya (Śukra/Uśanā)
• Surā (intoxicating liquor)

Tags

• Ethics
• Brahminical conduct
• Narrative
• Dharma
• Intoxicants

FAQs

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

This verse does not address Pralaya; it is part of an ethical-narrative moment focused on suspicion and conduct concerning surā (intoxicants).

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

It frames surā-drinking as a matter that invites scrutiny and doubt, aligning with Purāṇic dharma where rulers and householders are expected to restrain intoxicants to preserve clarity, reputation, and ritual/social order.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or temple-architecture rule appears here; the ritual takeaway is ethical—surā (liquor) is treated as a potentially contaminating or blameworthy act requiring caution within dharma-oriented life.