Shloka 59

Matsya Purana — The Pushkara Manifestation

Devanagari script

काला तु वै कालकेयान् असुरान्सुरसा तु वै अनायुषायास्तनया व्याधयः सुमहाबलाः //

Transliteration

kālā tu vai kālakeyān asurānsurasā tu vai anāyuṣāyāstanayā vyādhayaḥ sumahābalāḥ //

Translation

Kālā, indeed, gave birth to the Kālakeya Asuras; and Surasā, indeed, bore (the beings of) short life—mighty Diseases, her sons.

Word by Word

• kālā: Kālā (a primordial mother/personified Time or Dark Power)

• tu vai: indeed/forsooth

• kālakeyān: the Kālakeyas (a class of Asuras)

• asurān: demons/anti-gods

• surasā: Surasā (a primordial mother)

• anāyuṣāyāḥ: of short lifespan/short-livedness

• tanayāḥ: sons/offspring

• vyādhayaḥ: diseases/ailments

• sumahābalāḥ: very mighty, extremely powerful

Speaker

• Sūta (narrating the Matsya Purana’s account; within the broader Manu–Matsya transmission, this functions as catalogued narration)

Entities Mentioned

• Kālā
• Kālakeya
• Asuras
• Surasā
• Anāyuṣā (short life)
• Vyādhis (Diseases)

Tags

• Creation
• Genealogies
• Asuras
• Personification
• Cosmic order

FAQs

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

It reflects creation-side cosmology: even destructive forces (Asuras) and human afflictions (diseases, short lifespan) are presented as structured offspring within the cosmic order, not random chaos.

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

By framing disease and short lifespan as powerful realities in the world, it implicitly supports dharmic duties: rulers must protect public health and order, while householders should follow disciplined living, charity, and ritual observances to mitigate suffering.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vastu or temple-building rule is stated; ritually, the verse underlines why Purāṇic traditions emphasize protective rites, healing observances, and longevity practices to counter ‘Vyādhi’ and ‘Anāyuṣā’.