Shloka 176

Matsya Purana — The Slaying of Jambha and the Rise of Tāraka: Divine Battle Formations

Devanagari script

कर्णान्तकृष्टैर्विमलैः सुवर्णरजतोज्ज्वलैः शास्त्रार्थैः संशयप्राप्तान् यथार्थान्वै विकल्पितैः //

Transliteration

karṇāntakṛṣṭairvimalaiḥ suvarṇarajatojjvalaiḥ śāstrārthaiḥ saṃśayaprāptān yathārthānvai vikalpitaiḥ //

Translation

With pure scriptural meanings—bright as gold and silver, drawn right up to the ear—he correctly distinguished the true senses of the teachings that had become clouded by doubt.

Word by Word

कर्णान्तकृष्टैःdrawn up to the ear/closely listened to

विमलैःpure, stainless

सुवर्ण-रजत-उज्ज्वलैःshining like gold and silver

शास्त्रार्थैःby the meanings/purports of the scriptures

संशयप्राप्तान्those that had fallen into doubt/been seized by uncertainty

यथार्थान्the real/true (meanings)

वैindeed

विकल्पितैःdistinguished, analytically determined/clearly discriminated

Speaker

Suta (narrator) describing the teacher’s exposition within the Matsya Purana dialogue tradition

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it emphasizes a method of dharmic learning—hearing and discerning scriptural meaning—used to remove uncertainty in any topic the Purana teaches.

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

It underlines a core duty: decisions should be based on correctly understood śāstra. A king (or householder) must resolve doubts through careful listening and discrimination of true meaning rather than acting from confusion.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No specific Vāstu or ritual rule is stated, but it supports how technical disciplines (like temple architecture or rites) should be learned: by close listening and clear interpretation of authoritative śāstric terms.