Shloka 34

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

Devanagari script

विधास्यामि ततो गर्भम् इन्द्रशत्रुनिषूदनम् आपस्तम्बस्ततश्चक्रे पुत्रेष्टिं द्रविणाधिकाम् //

Transliteration

vidhāsyāmi tato garbham indraśatruniṣūdanam āpastambastataścakre putreṣṭiṃ draviṇādhikām //

Translation

“Then I shall bring about a conception—one who will become the slayer of Indra’s enemy.” Thereupon Āpastamba performed the Putreṣṭi sacrifice, rich in wealth and offerings.

Word by Word

• vidhāsyāmi: I shall arrange / bring to pass

• tataḥ: then/thereafter

• garbham: conception, embryo, pregnancy

• indra-śatru: Indra’s enemy (lit. ‘enemy of Indra’)

• niṣūdanam: slaying, destroyer

• āpastambaḥ: the sage/ritualist Āpastamba

• tataś: then

• cakre: performed, carried out

• putreṣṭim: the Putreṣṭi rite (sacrifice for obtaining a son)

• draviṇa-adhikām: abundant in wealth, possessing ample gifts/fees/oblations

Speaker

• Likely Lord Matsya narrating to Vaivasvata Manu (purāṇic dialogue frame), describing the ritual sequence involving Āpastamba

Entities Mentioned

• Āpastamba
• Indra

Tags

• Putreṣṭi
• Vedic ritual
• Progeny
• Royal sacrifice
• Matsya Purana narrative

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it focuses on the deliberate ritual causation of conception through a Putreṣṭi sacrifice, highlighting karmic-ritual generation rather than cosmic dissolution.

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

It reflects the dharmic ideal that progeny (especially an heir) may be sought through sanctioned śrauta rites performed by qualified priests, with proper dakṣiṇā (wealth/gifts), aligning royal/householder aims with Vedic ritual duty.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual: Putreṣṭi is explicitly named as a son-producing sacrifice, described as draviṇādhikā—implying full provision of offerings and priestly fees, a key requirement for efficacy in śrauta procedure.