Shloka 11

Matsya Purana — Tārakāsura’s Austerity and Boon; Mobilization for War; Bṛhaspati’s Fourfold P...

Devanagari script

निराहारः पञ्चतपाः पत्त्रभुग्वारिभोजनः शतं शतं समानां तु तपांस्येतानि सो ऽकरोत् //

Transliteration

nirāhāraḥ pañcatapāḥ pattrabhugvāribhojanaḥ śataṃ śataṃ samānāṃ tu tapāṃsyetāni so 'karot //

Translation

He undertook austerities again and again for hundreds of years—living without food, practicing the five-fire penance, subsisting on leaves, and taking only water as nourishment.

Word by Word

• nirāhāraḥ: without food/fasting

• pañcatapāḥ: performing the five-fire austerity (heat from four fires plus the sun overhead)

• pattrabhuk: eating leaves

• vāri-bhojanaḥ: taking only water as sustenance

• śataṃ śatam: hundreds upon hundreds (repeatedly, in great number)

• samānām: of years

• tapāṃsi: austerities/penances

• etāni: these

• saḥ: he

• akarot: performed/undertook

Speaker

• Primary narrator within the Matsya Purana dialogue framework (traditionally Sūta relating the Purāṇa; often presented as teachings associated with Lord Matsya to Manu in the broader text)

Tags

• Tapas
• Vrata
• Asceticism
• Penance
• Spiritual Discipline

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe pralaya directly; it highlights extreme tapas as a means of spiritual attainment, a common Purāṇic motif that often precedes boons, revelations, or major cosmic events in surrounding narrative contexts.

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

It presents the ideal of self-control and discipline; for kings and householders, the Matsya Purana typically reframes such intensity into moderated vows (vratas), charity, and regulated fasting—showing that restraint and dharma begin with mastery over appetite and comfort.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or temple-construction rule is stated here; the ritual takeaway is the ascetic regimen itself—nirāhāra (fasting), pañcatapa (five-fire penance), leaf-diet, and water-only observance as recognized forms of tapas in Purāṇic ritual culture.