Shloka 5

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

Devanagari script

यावद्वर्षशतं साग्रं जराशोकसमाकुला ततः सा तपसा तप्ता वसिष्ठादीनपृच्छत //

Transliteration

yāvadvarṣaśataṃ sāgraṃ jarāśokasamākulā tataḥ sā tapasā taptā vasiṣṭhādīnapṛcchata //

Translation

For a little more than a hundred years she remained, afflicted by old age and sorrow. Then, tempered by austerity, she approached Vasiṣṭha and the other sages and questioned them.

Word by Word

• yāvat: as long as

• varṣa-śatam: a hundred years

• sāgram: with an additional portion/over and above (i.e., a little more)

• jarā: old age

• śoka: grief/sorrow

• samākulā: afflicted, overwhelmed

• tataḥ: then/thereafter

• sā: she

• tapasā: by austerity/penance

• taptā: heated, purified, disciplined (by tapas)

• vasiṣṭha-ādīn: Vasiṣṭha and the others

• apṛcchata: asked, inquired (she questioned).

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) describing the episode (speaker attribution inferred from Purana narrative style for early adhyayas)

Entities Mentioned

• Vasiṣṭha
• Sages (Ṛṣis)

Tags

• Tapas
• Sages
• Dharma
• Puranic Narrative
• Consultation

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe pralaya directly; it highlights the Purāṇic method of seeking higher truth—after prolonged suffering and austerity, one turns to realized sages for authoritative guidance.

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

It models dharmic conduct: when afflicted by grief or uncertainty, one should practice self-discipline and then consult qualified teachers (like Vasiṣṭha) before making decisions—an ideal applicable to rulers and householders alike.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No explicit Vāstu or temple-ritual rule appears in this verse; its ritual takeaway is the primacy of tapas (austerity) and guru/ṛṣi consultation as prerequisites before undertaking major vows, rites, or sacred projects.