Shloka 15

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

Devanagari script

प्रायो न माता सास्माकं शापेनाहं यतो हतः देवो ऽप्याह यमं भूयः किं करोमि महामते //

Transliteration

prāyo na mātā sāsmākaṃ śāpenāhaṃ yato hataḥ devo 'pyāha yamaṃ bhūyaḥ kiṃ karomi mahāmate //

Translation

Surely she is not truly our mother, for by her curse I have been struck down. Then the god himself spoke again to Yama: “What am I to do now, O great-minded one?”

Word by Word

• prāyaḥ: surely/for the most part

• na: not

• mātā: mother

• sā: she

• asmākam: of us/our

• śāpena: by a curse

• aham: I

• yataḥ: because/whereby

• hataḥ: slain/struck down

• devaḥ api: even the god

• āha: said

• yamam: to Yama

• bhūyaḥ: again

• kim: what

• karomi: shall I do/do I do

• mahāmate: O great-minded one/O wise one

Speaker

• Narrator within the royal episode (a cursed figure speaking; then reference to a god addressing Yama)

Entities Mentioned

• Yama

Tags

• Curse
• Death
• Yama
• Royal episode
• Ethics

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss cosmic creation or Pralaya; it focuses on karmic causality—how a curse leads to death and prompts an appeal to Yama, the lord of justice.

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

It highlights moral responsibility in speech and relationships: curses (harmful speech rooted in anger) can produce grave consequences, reminding householders and rulers to practice restraint, reconciliation, and dharmic conduct.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vastu, temple iconography, or ritual procedure is specified in this verse; the primary theme is ethical-karmic consequence and recourse to Yama in matters of death.