Shloka 64

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

Devanagari script

*शौनक उवाच इतीदमुक्त्वा स महाप्रभावस् तपोनिधीनां निधिर् अप्रमेयः तान्दानवांश्चैव निगूढबुद्धीन् इदं समाहूय वचो ऽभ्युवाच //

Transliteration

*śaunaka uvāca itīdamuktvā sa mahāprabhāvas taponidhīnāṃ nidhir aprameyaḥ tāndānavāṃścaiva nigūḍhabuddhīn idaṃ samāhūya vaco 'bhyuvāca //

Translation

Śaunaka said: Having spoken thus, that immensely powerful one—an immeasurable treasure among the storehouses of ascetic merit—then summoned those Dānavas of concealed intent and addressed these words to them.

Word by Word

• शौनक उवाच (śaunaka uvāca): Śaunaka said

• इति (iti): thus

• इदं (idaṃ): this

• उक्त्वा (uktvā): having said/spoken

• स (sa): he/that one

• महाप्रभावः (mahāprabhāvaḥ): greatly powerful, of vast splendor

• तपोनिधीनाम् (taponidhīnām): of the treasures/storehouses of austerity

• निधिः (nidhiḥ): treasure, repository

• अप्रमेयः (aprameyaḥ): immeasurable, beyond measure

• तान् (tān): those (acc. pl.)

• दानवान् (dānavān): Dānavas (a class of asuras)

• च एव (ca eva): and indeed

• निगूढबुद्धीन् (nigūḍha-buddhīn): those whose intentions/minds are hidden

• इदं (idaṃ): this (speech/statement)

• समाहूय (samāhūya): having called together, having summoned

• वचः (vacaḥ): words, speech

• अभ्युवाच (abhyuvāca): addressed, spoke to

Speaker

• Śaunaka (narrating/quoting within the sage-dialogue frame)

Entities Mentioned

• Śaunaka
• Dānavas

Tags

• Dialogue
• Asuras
• Sage-narration
• Puranic-frame
• Hidden-intent

FAQs

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

This verse does not directly describe Pralaya or creation; it sets a narrative moment where a powerful ascetic figure summons the Dānavas, preparing for an ensuing instruction or confrontation that may later connect to cosmic order themes.

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

Indirectly, it highlights a recurring Purāṇic ethic: discerning hidden motives (nigūḍha-buddhi) and addressing them through authoritative speech—an essential skill for rulers and householders managing conflicts and maintaining dharma.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu, temple-architecture, or ritual procedure is specified in this verse; it functions as a transition into a speech, which in later passages may carry prescriptive teachings.