Shloka 21

Matsya Purana — The Greatness and Procedure of the Aṅgāra

Devanagari script

विरोचन इति प्राहुस् तस्मात्त्वां देवदानवाः शूद्रेण क्रियमाणस्य व्रतस्य तव दर्शनात् ईदृशीं रूपसम्पत्तिं दृष्ट्वा विस्मितवानहम् //

Transliteration

virocana iti prāhus tasmāttvāṃ devadānavāḥ śūdreṇa kriyamāṇasya vratasya tava darśanāt īdṛśīṃ rūpasampattiṃ dṛṣṭvā vismitavānaham //

Translation

They call you “Virocana”; therefore the gods and the Dānavas alike—having witnessed your vow (vrata) being performed even by a Śūdra—on seeing such splendor of form in you, I have become amazed.

Word by Word

• virocanaḥ: Virocana (the radiant one, a proper name)

• iti: thus

• prāhuḥ: they say/call

• tasmāt: therefore

• tvām: you

• deva-dānavāḥ: gods and Dānavas (a class of Asuras)

• śūdreṇa: by a Śūdra

• kriyamāṇasya: being performed/undertaken

• vratasya: of the vow/observance

• tava: your

• darśanāt: from seeing/witnessing

• īdṛśīm: such/like this

• rūpa-sampattim: excellence/wealth of beauty and form

• dṛṣṭvā: having seen

• vismitavān aham: I am astonished.

Speaker

• A narrator/participant voice addressing Virocana (contextually within a vrata-related episode; precise speaker not explicitly identifiable from this single verse)

Entities Mentioned

• Virocana
• Devas
• Dānavas
• Śūdra
• Vrata

Tags

• Vrata
• Dharma
• Ritual Observance
• Social Ethics
• Puranic Praise

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it highlights the visible fruit of dharmic observance (vrata)—radiance, reputation, and astonishment even among gods and Dānavas.

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

It underscores that disciplined vows and ethical observances are central to dharma; a householder (and by extension a ruler) gains authority and esteem through visible self-restraint and ritual integrity.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual significance is the power of a vrata: even when performed by a Śūdra, it is portrayed as efficacious and capable of producing notable “rūpa-sampatti” (splendor), emphasizing inclusivity of merit through proper observance.