Shloka 12

Matsya Purana — Solar Dynasty Prelude: Vivasvān–Saṃjñā–Chāyā

Devanagari script

शशाप च यमं छाया सक्षतः कृमिसंयुतः पादो ऽयमेको भविता पूयशोणितविस्रवः //

Transliteration

śaśāpa ca yamaṃ chāyā sakṣataḥ kṛmisaṃyutaḥ pādo 'yameko bhavitā pūyaśoṇitavisravaḥ //

Translation

Then Chāyā cursed Yama: “One of your feet shall become ulcerated and infested with worms, and it will ooze pus and blood.”

Word by Word

• śaśāpa: (she) cursed

• ca: and

• yamam: Yama

• chāyā: Chāyā (Shadow)

• sa-kṣataḥ: with wounds/ulcerated

• kṛmi-saṃyutaḥ: infested/associated with worms

• pādaḥ: foot

• ayam: this

• ekaḥ: one (single)

• bhavitā: will become/will be

• pūya: pus

• śoṇita: blood

• visravaḥ: flowing/oozing/discharge

Speaker

• Narrator (Purāṇic narration; traditionally Sūta relating the account to the listening sages)

Entities Mentioned

• Chāyā
• Yama

Tags

• Curse
• Karma
• Dharmic-Myth
• Puranic Narrative
• Cosmic Justice

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe pralaya; it illustrates moral causality (a śāpa/curse) within Purāṇic narrative logic, where ethical or relational conflict manifests as a concrete bodily consequence.

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

By portraying Yama—the archetype of justice—receiving a curse with tangible suffering, the verse reinforces the Matsya Purana’s ethical theme that even powerful authorities must act with restraint and right conduct, since wrongdoing invites painful repercussions.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or ritual procedure is stated; the takeaway is symbolic and ethical rather than architectural—highlighting impurity (pus, blood, worms) as a sign of the consequences of a curse and moral disorder.