Shloka 29

Matsya Purana — The Birth of Tāraka: Varāṅgī’s Lament

Devanagari script

स तु प्राप्य महाराज्यं तारको मुनिसत्तमाः उवाच दानवश्रेष्ठान् युक्तियुक्तमिदं वचः //

Transliteration

sa tu prāpya mahārājyaṃ tārako munisattamāḥ uvāca dānavaśreṣṭhān yuktiyuktamidaṃ vacaḥ //

Translation

Having attained great sovereignty, Tāraka then addressed the foremost of the Dānavas, O best of sages, speaking these words that were grounded in sound strategy and reason.

Word by Word

• saḥ: he

• tu: then/indeed

• prāpya: having attained

• mahā-rājyam: great kingdom/sovereignty

• tārakaḥ: Tāraka

• muni-sattamāḥ: O best of sages (vocative address to the narrator’s listener)

• uvāca: said/spoke

• dānava-śreṣṭhān: the best/foremost among the Dānavas (demons)

• yukti-yuktam: endowed with policy, reasoning, and proper means

• idam: this

• vacaḥ: speech/statement/words

Speaker

• Sūta (narratorial voice addressing the sages; verse introduces Tāraka’s speech)

Entities Mentioned

• Tāraka
• Dānava

Tags

• Asura politics
• Dynasties
• Counsel
• Royal power
• Strategy (Yukti)

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss pralaya or cosmogony; it frames a political moment—Tāraka’s rise to power and his strategic address to the Dānavas.

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

It highlights "yukti"—reasoned policy and prudent counsel—as a core trait of rulership: authority should be accompanied by strategic, well-considered speech to guide one’s followers.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No explicit Vāstu, temple-architecture, or ritual procedure is mentioned; the emphasis is on governance and counsel rather than construction or rites.