Shloka 51

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

Devanagari script

दितेश्छिद्रान्तरप्रेप्सुर् अभवत्पाकशासनः विनीतो ऽभवद् अव्यग्रः प्रशान्तवदनो बहिः //

Transliteration

diteśchidrāntaraprepsur abhavatpākaśāsanaḥ vinīto 'bhavad avyagraḥ praśāntavadano bahiḥ //

Translation

Seeking an opening—a vulnerable lapse—in Diti, Pākaśāsana (Indra) became outwardly humble: unhurried, undistracted, and with a calm face in appearance.

Word by Word

• diteḥ: of Diti

• chidra: flaw, opening, vulnerable point

• antara: interval, opportunity

• prepsuḥ: desiring to obtain, seeking

• abhavat: became

• pākaśāsanaḥ: Pākaśāsana (Indra, slayer of Pāka/Vṛtra)

• vinītaḥ: humble, disciplined, submissive

• abhavat: became

• avyagraḥ: unagitated, not restless, undistracted

• praśānta-vadanaḥ: with a serene/calm face

• bahiḥ: outwardly, externally, in appearance

Speaker

• Sūta (narrator), within the Matsya Purana’s Manu–Matsya frame

Entities Mentioned

• Diti
• Indra (Pākaśāsana)

Tags

• Devasura
• Austerity
• Vigilance
• Ethics
• Strategy

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya directly; it illustrates a Puranic moral-psychological theme—how subtle lapses (chidra) become decisive—often used in the wider Matsya Purana narrative world that also contains Pralaya teachings.

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

It highlights disciplined self-presentation and constant attentiveness: a ruler or householder should remain calm and courteous outwardly while staying inwardly vigilant against lapses that can undermine vows, security, or dharma.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or temple-ritual rule is stated here; the technical takeaway is the concept of avoiding “chidra” (defect/opening), a principle that later parallels ritual and architectural insistence on flawlessness, though this verse itself is ethical-strategic.