Shloka 58

Matsya Purana — The Pushkara Manifestation

Devanagari script

तपःश्रेष्ठौ गुणश्रेष्ठौ त्रिदिवस्यापि संमतौ दनुस्तु दानवाञ्जज्ञे दितिर्दैत्यान्व्यजायत //

Transliteration

tapaḥśreṣṭhau guṇaśreṣṭhau tridivasyāpi saṃmatau danustu dānavāñjajñe ditirdaityānvyajāyata //

Translation

Two were renowned as foremost in austerity and foremost in virtue, celebrated even among the gods of heaven. From Danu were born the Dānavas, and from Diti were born the Daityas.

Word by Word

• तपः-श्रेष्ठौ: foremost in austerity

• गुण-श्रेष्ठौ: foremost in virtues/excellence

• त्रि-दिवस्य: of the threefold heaven/among the gods

• अपि: even

• संमतौ: approved/esteemed, well-regarded

• दनुः: Danu (a progenitress)

• तु: and/indeed

• दानवान्: the Dānavas (race descending from Danu)

• जज्ञे/जज्ञे: were born/came into being

• दितिः: Diti (a progenitress)

• दैत्यान्: the Daityas (race descending from Diti)

• व्यजायत: gave birth to/produced

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) narrating to Vaivasvata Manu (genealogical account)

Entities Mentioned

• Danu
• Diti
• Danavas
• Daityas
• Tridiva (the gods/heavenly realm)

Tags

• Dynasties
• Genealogy
• Daityas
• Danavas
• Puranic Cosmology

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya; it gives a genealogical origin statement—Danu is the mother-source of the Dānavas and Diti of the Daityas—within the broader cosmic history that continues across cycles.

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

Indirectly, it supports the Purāṇic ideal that rulers and householders should know lineage and traditional classifications (gotra/vaṃśa narratives) to preserve dharma, social memory, and proper ritual-historical continuity.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or temple-ritual rule is stated in this verse; its focus is on lineage terminology (Daitya/Dānava) used elsewhere to contextualize conflicts, vows, and ritual narratives in Purāṇic history.