Shloka 45

Matsya Purana — Origin of Soma

Devanagari script

अन्तः प्रविश्याथ कथं कथंचिन् निवारयामास सुरैः सहैव अकारणं किं क्षयकृज्जनानां सोम त्वयापीत्थम् अकारि कार्यम् //

Transliteration

antaḥ praviśyātha kathaṃ kathaṃcin nivārayāmāsa suraiḥ sahaiva akāraṇaṃ kiṃ kṣayakṛjjanānāṃ soma tvayāpīttham akāri kāryam //

Translation

Then, entering within, he somehow managed—together with the gods—to restrain him. For what reason, without cause, should one become the destroyer of people? O Soma, you were made to drink, and thus the necessary act was carried out.

Word by Word

• अन्तः (antaḥ): within/inside

• प्रविश्य (praviśya): having entered

• अथ (atha): then

• कथं कथंचित् (kathaṃ kathaṃcit): somehow/by some means

• निवारयामास (nivārayāmāsa): restrained/checked/held back

• सुरैः (suraiḥ): with the gods

• सह एव (saha eva): together indeed

• अकारणम् (akāraṇam): without cause/groundlessly

• किम् (kim): why/for what reason

• क्षयकृत् (kṣayakṛt): causing destruction/making ruin

• जनानाम् (janānām): of people/creatures

• सोम (soma): O Soma (Moon/Chandra)

• त्वया (tvayā): by you/with you

• अपीत्थम् (apīttham): was made to drink/was drunk (causative/passive sense implied)

• अकारि (akāri): was done/was performed

• कार्यम् (kāryam): what had to be done/required duty

Speaker

• Suta (narrative voice) describing the event; addressed to Soma (Chandra)

Entities Mentioned

• Soma (Chandra)
• Suras (Devas)

Tags

• Devas
• Soma
• Restraint
• Dharma
• Cosmic order

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya directly; it emphasizes restoring cosmic order by restraining a destructive force (Soma) rather than describing dissolution.

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

It frames a dharmic principle: harm or “destruction of people” without cause is condemned; restraint and proportionate action—doing only what is necessary (kārya)—is presented as the proper ethic.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vastu/temple-architecture rule is stated here; the closest ritual hint is the phrasing about Soma being “made to drink,” pointing to Soma as a sacral substance/deity in Vedic-Puranic ritual language, used here metaphorically for enforcing order.