Shloka 41

Matsya Purana — The Cave-Sanctuary: Jewel-Lake

Devanagari script

बिलाद्बहिर्गुहां कांचिद् आश्रित्य सुमनोहराम् तपश्चकार तत्रैव पूजयन्मधुसूदनम् //

Transliteration

bilādbahirguhāṃ kāṃcid āśritya sumanoharām tapaścakāra tatraiva pūjayanmadhusūdanam //

Translation

Leaving the mouth of the cavern, he took shelter in a certain exceedingly beautiful cave; there itself he practiced austerities, worshipping Madhusūdana (Viṣṇu), the slayer of Madhu.

Word by Word

• बिलात् (bilāt): from the burrow/cavern

• बहिः (bahiḥ): outside

• गुहाम् (guhām): a cave

• कांचित् (kāṃcit): a certain (one)

• आश्रित्य (āśritya): having resorted to, taking shelter in

• सुमनोहराम् (sumanoharām): very charming, delightful

• तपः (tapaḥ): austerity, ascetic practice

• चकार (cakāra): he did, he performed

• तत्र एव (tatraiva): there itself

• पूजयन् (pūjayan): worshipping, honoring

• मधुसूदनम् (madhusūdanam): Madhusūdana, Viṣṇu

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) describing an ascetic/ devotee’s action within the episode

Entities Mentioned

• Madhusudana (Vishnu)

Tags

• Tapas
• Vaishnava Bhakti
• Cave-asceticism
• Puja
• Tirtha-Mahatmya

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe pralaya; it highlights a devotional-ascetic response—taking refuge in a secluded cave and worshipping Viṣṇu—typical of Purāṇic guidance for spiritual steadiness rather than cosmic dissolution.

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

Even for householders or rulers, the verse models disciplined devotion: setting aside a dedicated place and time for worship (pūjā) and self-restraint (tapas), implying that dharma is strengthened through regular, sincere Viṣṇu-bhakti.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it foregrounds pūjā to Madhusūdana performed in a sanctified, secluded space; architecturally it suggests the ideal of a quiet, protected setting (like a cave/guha) for austerity—useful when mapping “Matsya Purana ritual space” themes, though it is not a direct Vāstu rule.