Shloka 22

Matsya Purana — Śukra Warns Vṛṣaparvan: The Ripening of Adharma and Devayānī’s Demand for Śar...

Devanagari script

*शौनक उवाच ततः कन्यासहस्रेण वृता शिबिकया तदा पितुर्निदेशात्त्वरिता निश्चक्राम पुरोत्तमात् //

Transliteration

*śaunaka uvāca tataḥ kanyāsahasreṇa vṛtā śibikayā tadā piturnideśāttvaritā niścakrāma purottamāt //

Translation

Śaunaka said: Then, surrounded by a thousand maidens and seated in a palanquin, she—hastening at her father’s command—set out from the excellent city.

Word by Word

• śaunaka uvāca: Śaunaka said

• tataḥ: then/thereupon

• kanyā-sahasreṇa: by/with a thousand maidens

• vṛtā: surrounded/attended

• śibikayā: with/in a palanquin

• tadā: at that time

• pituḥ: of (her) father

• nideśāt: from the instruction/command

• tvaritā: hastened/quickly

• niścakrāma: went out/departed

• purottamāt: from the best city/excellent town

Speaker

• Śaunaka

Entities Mentioned

• Śaunaka
• father (unnamed)
• a woman/daughter (unnamed)
• kanyās (maidens)

Tags

• Puranic narrative
• Royal procession
• Courtly life
• Travel
• Episode context

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it is a narrative detail describing a departure from a city in a palanquin with a large retinue, indicating courtly or royal setting.

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

Indirectly, it reflects social order and obedience to parental/guardian authority—she departs promptly at her father’s command—an ethical motif consistent with Purāṇic ideals of discipline and propriety.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No explicit Vāstu or ritual rule appears; the only contextual hint is the mention of an “excellent city” (purottama), a common Purāṇic descriptor for a well-established royal/urban center.