Shloka 23

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

Devanagari script

तमुवाच ततस्त्वष्टा सान्त्वपूर्वं द्विजोत्तमाः तवासहन्ती भगवन् महस्तीव्रं तमोनुदम् //

Transliteration

tamuvāca tatastvaṣṭā sāntvapūrvaṃ dvijottamāḥ tavāsahantī bhagavan mahastīvraṃ tamonudam //

Translation

Then Tvaṣṭṛ spoke to him, first with words of conciliation: “O best among the twice-born, O Lord—your radiance is unbearable, keen, and a dispeller of darkness; it is overwhelming.”

Word by Word

• tam: to him

• uvāca: said/spoke

• tataḥ: then

• tvaṣṭā: Tvaṣṭṛ (the divine artisan)

• sāntva-pūrvam: beginning with pacification/soothing words

• dvija-uttamāḥ: O best of the twice-born (address)

• tava: your

• asahantī: unbearable/intolerable

• bhagavan: O Blessed Lord

• mahaḥ: radiance/splendour

• tīvram: intense/sharp

• tamaḥ-nudam: dispelling darkness

Speaker

• Tvaṣṭṛ (the divine artisan)

Entities Mentioned

• Tvaṣṭṛ
• Bhagavān

Tags

• Creation
• Deva-karya
• Tejas
• Praise
• Pacification

FAQs

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

It highlights a core Puranic cosmological motif: divine tejas (radiance) dispels tamas (darkness). While not explicitly about Pralaya here, it echoes the principle that cosmic order and manifestation arise when darkness is driven away by divine light.

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

Indirectly, it models sāntva (conciliatory speech) as an ethical tool: even when confronting overwhelming power, one begins with calming, respectful words—an approach valued in governance and household conduct in Dharma-oriented literature.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or temple-rule detail appears; however, the imagery of light that removes darkness aligns with ritual priorities (dīpa/illumination, auspicious brightness) that later inform sacred-space ideals in Matsya Purana’s ritual and iconographic sections.