Shloka 18

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

Devanagari script

*तारक उवाच देवभूतमनोवास वेत्सि जन्तुविचेष्टितम् कृतप्रतिकृताकाङ्क्षी जिगीषुः प्रायशो जनः //

Transliteration

*tāraka uvāca devabhūtamanovāsa vetsi jantuviceṣṭitam kṛtapratikṛtākāṅkṣī jigīṣuḥ prāyaśo janaḥ //

Translation

Tāraka said: “O knower of the minds that dwell in gods and beings, you understand the conduct of creatures. For people, in most cases, long for repayment for what is done, and they are eager to conquer.”

Word by Word

• tārakaḥ uvāca: Tāraka said

• deva-bhūta-mano-vāsa: one who knows/enters the mental states dwelling in gods and beings

• vetsi: you know, you understand

• jantu-viceṣṭitam: the behaviour/impulses of living creatures

• kṛta-pratikṛta-ākāṅkṣī: desiring a counter-action/return (repayment, retaliation) for what has been done

• jigīṣuḥ: wishing to win, seeking victory

• prāyaśaḥ: generally, for the most part

• janaḥ: people

Speaker

• Tāraka

Entities Mentioned

• Tāraka

Tags

• Dharma
• Human psychology
• Conflict
• Reciprocity
• Ethics

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss pralaya or cosmology; it focuses on ordinary human motives—repaying actions (often as retaliation) and the urge to win.

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

It highlights two common drivers—revenge/repayment and conquest—warning rulers and householders to govern impulses with dharma, otherwise cycles of retaliation and domination escalate conflict.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vastu, temple-building, or ritual procedure is stated here; the verse is ethical-psychological, describing motives behind behaviour.