Shloka 39

Matsya Purana — Lineage of Yayāti through Yadu and the Deeds of Kārtavīrya Arjuna

Devanagari script

मुमोच रक्षः पौलस्त्यं पुलस्त्येनेह सान्त्वितम् तस्य बाहुसहस्रेण बभूव ज्यातलस्वनः //

Transliteration

mumoca rakṣaḥ paulastyaṃ pulastyeneha sāntvitam tasya bāhusahasreṇa babhūva jyātalasvanaḥ //

Translation

Here, Pulastya consoled the Paulastya rākṣasa and released him. With his thousand arms, there arose the resounding twang of the bowstring as he drew the bow.

Word by Word

mumocareleased, let go

rakṣaḥthe rākṣasa/demon

paulastyamthe Paulastya (descendant of Pulastya)

pulastyenaby Pulastya

ihahere/in this account

sāntvitamconsoled, pacified

tasyaof him

bāhu-sahasreṇawith a thousand arms

babhūvathere came to be/arose

jyābowstring

talastriking/twang (sound produced by snapping/striking)

svanaḥsound, resonance

Speaker

Sūta (narrator) recounting the lineage episode within Matsya Purāṇa’s discourse

Entities Mentioned

PulastyaPaulastya (Pulastya’s descendant, i.e., the rākṣasa line)RākṣasaThousand-armed warrior (bāhu-sahasra motif)

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya; it focuses on a lineage/narrative moment where Pulastya pacifies and releases a Paulastya rākṣasa, highlighting martial power through the bowstring’s thunderous twang.

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

Indirectly, it models the restraint of authority: Pulastya’s act of consoling and releasing suggests that power should be tempered by pacification and counsel—an ethical ideal echoed in Purāṇic guidance for rulers and elders.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or ritual procedure is stated here; the technical detail is martial—“jyā-tala-svana,” the characteristic sound of a bowstring when drawn and released, used to convey extraordinary strength.