Shloka 14

Matsya Purana — The Episode of Madhu and Kaiṭabha: Gunas

Devanagari script

*मधुकैटभावूचतुः नावयोः परमं लोके किंचिदस्ति महामते आवाभ्यां छाद्यते विश्वं तमसा रजसाथ वै //

Transliteration

*madhukaiṭabhāvūcatuḥ nāvayoḥ paramaṃ loke kiṃcidasti mahāmate āvābhyāṃ chādyate viśvaṃ tamasā rajasātha vai //

Translation

Madhu and Kaiṭabha said: “O great-minded one, there is nothing whatsoever in the worlds that is superior to us. By us the entire universe is covered—by darkness (tamas) and indeed by passion and turbulence (rajas).”

Word by Word

• मधु-कैटभौ (madhu-kaiṭabhau): Madhu and Kaiṭabha

• ऊचतुः (ūcatuḥ): said (the two spoke)

• न आवयोः (na āvayoḥ): not than us / none beyond us

• परमम् (paramam): higher, supreme

• लोके (loke): in the world(s)

• किंचित् (kiṃcit): anything

• अस्ति (asti): exists

• महामते (mahāmate): O great-minded one

• आवाभ्याम् (āvābhyām): by us two

• छाद्यते (chādyate): is covered, is veiled

• विश्वम् (viśvam): the universe, all creation

• तमसा (tamasā): by tamas, darkness/ignorance

• रजसा (rajasā): by rajas, passion/activity

• अथ (atha): and then/also

• वै (vai): indeed, certainly

Speaker

• Madhu and Kaiṭabha

Entities Mentioned

• Madhu
• Kaiṭabha
• tamas
• rajas

Tags

• Pralaya
• Cosmic-Forces
• Asura-Boast
• Tamas-Rajas
• Purana-Narrative

FAQs

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

It portrays a cosmic “veiling” of the universe by tamas and rajas—symbolizing obscuration, chaos, and turbulence that dominate during disorder and dissolution-like conditions.

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

By highlighting tamas (inertia/ignorance) and rajas (restless passion) as forces that can cover the world, it implicitly supports the Matsya Purana’s ethic that rulers and householders should cultivate sattva—clarity, restraint, and right governance—to prevent social and moral darkness.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vastu or ritual rule is stated; the takeaway is conceptual: auspicious rites and sacred architecture aim to reduce tamas and regulate rajas through purity, order, and consecration.