Shloka 1

Matsya Purana — The Madana-Dvādaśī Vow and the Birth of the Maruts

Devanagari script

*ऋषय ऊचुः दितेः पुत्राः कथं जाता मरुतो देववल्लभाः देवैर्जग्मुश्च सापत्नैः कस्मात्ते सख्यमुत्तमम् //

Transliteration

*ṛṣaya ūcuḥ diteḥ putrāḥ kathaṃ jātā maruto devavallabhāḥ devairjagmuśca sāpatnaiḥ kasmātte sakhyamuttamam //

Translation

The sages said: “How were the Maruts—sons of Diti—born, though beloved of the gods? And why did they go together with the Devas, even though they were rivals? From what cause did that excellent friendship arise?”

Word by Word

• ṛṣayaḥ: the sages

• ūcuḥ: said

• diteḥ: of Diti

• putrāḥ: sons

• katham: how

• jātāḥ: were born

• marutaḥ: the Maruts (storm-gods)

• deva-vallabhāḥ: dear/beloved to the gods

• devaiḥ: with the gods (Devas)

• jagmuḥ: went

• ca: and

• sāpatnaiḥ: with rivals/as co-wives’ party, i.e., inimical counterparts

• kasmāt: from what (cause)

• te: their/that

• sakhyam: friendship/alliance

• uttamam: excellent/supreme.

Speaker

• The Rishis (sages) addressing the narrator/primary teacher in the Matsya Purana’s dialogue frame

Entities Mentioned

• Rishis
• Diti
• Maruts
• Devas

Tags

• Maruts
• Devas and Asuras
• Puranic genealogy
• Mythic origins
• Alliance and enmity

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it opens a genealogical-mythic inquiry into the birth of the Maruts and their unexpected alignment with the Devas.

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

Indirectly, it frames a moral-political theme common in the Matsya Purana: even among rivals, alliances can form through higher purpose—an idea later echoed in teachings on prudent friendship, diplomacy, and social harmony.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vastu Shastra, temple architecture, or ritual procedure is mentioned in this verse; it functions as a narrative question introducing the Maruts’ origin episode.