Shloka 28

Matsya Purana — The Gods Seek Śiva’s Refuge: The Cosmic Chariot Prepared for the Burning of T...

Devanagari script

ब्रह्मवध्या च गोवध्या बालवध्या प्रजाभयाः गदा भूत्वा शक्तयश्च तदा देवरथे ऽभ्ययुः //

Transliteration

brahmavadhyā ca govadhyā bālavadhyā prajābhayāḥ gadā bhūtvā śaktayaśca tadā devarathe 'bhyayuḥ //

Translation

Then Brahmin-slaying, cow-slaying, child-slaying, and the terrors that afflict the people—having assumed the forms of maces and spears—rushed upon Devaratha.

Word by Word

• brahma-vadhyā: the sin/taint of killing a Brahmin

• ca: and

• go-vadhyā: the sin/taint of killing a cow

• bāla-vadhyā: the sin/taint of killing a child

• prajā-bhayāḥ: fears/terrors (that threaten) the subjects/people

• gadā: a mace/club

• bhūtvā: having become/taking the form of

• śaktayaḥ: spears/javelins

• ca: and

• tadā: then

• deva-rathe: upon/against Devaratha (locative)

• abhyayuḥ: they rushed/charged (towards).

Speaker

• Sūta (purāṇic narrator) describing the episode in third-person

Entities Mentioned

• Devaratha
• Brahmavadhyā
• Govadhyā
• Bālavadhyā
• Prajābhayāḥ

Tags

• Prāyaścitta
• Pāpa
• Kingship
• Dharma
• Moral consequences

FAQs

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

It does not describe cosmic pralaya; it depicts moral causality in society—grave sins are personified as weapons that ‘attack’ a ruler, showing how adharma brings calamity.

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

It warns that violations like brahmahatyā, gohatyā, and harm to children or subjects rebound upon leadership; a king’s duty is to protect prajā and uphold dharma so that such ‘pāpa-forces’ do not overtake the realm.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No vāstu or temple-architecture rule is stated; the ritual implication is prāyaścitta—major sins (mahāpātakas) require expiation, and without it they manifest as afflictions and social भय (fear).