Shloka 30

Matsya Purana — The Slaying of Tāraka: Skanda’s Śakti and the Victory of the Devas

Devanagari script

*देवा ऊचुः यः पठेत्स्कन्दसम्बद्धां कथां मर्त्यो महामतिः शृणुयाच्छ्रावयेद्वापि स भवेत्कीर्तिमान्नरः //

Transliteration

*devā ūcuḥ yaḥ paṭhetskandasambaddhāṃ kathāṃ martyo mahāmatiḥ śṛṇuyācchrāvayedvāpi sa bhavetkīrtimānnaraḥ //

Translation

The gods said: Any mortal of great understanding who recites this narrative connected with Skanda—or who listens to it, or causes it to be recited—becomes a person of lasting fame.

Word by Word

• devāḥ: the gods

• ūcuḥ: said

• yaḥ: whoever

• paṭhet: recites/reads

• skanda-sambaddhām: connected with Skanda

• kathām: narrative, sacred account

• martyaḥ: mortal human

• mahā-matiḥ: great-minded, of high intelligence

• śṛṇuyāt: would listen

• chrāvayet: would cause (others) to hear / would have it recited

• vā api: or even

• saḥ: he

• bhavet: becomes

• kīrti-mān: possessed of fame/renown

• naraḥ: man, person

Speaker

• Devas (the gods)

Entities Mentioned

• Devas
• Skanda

Tags

• Phala-shruti
• Katha
• Skanda
• Shravana
• Kirtि

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya directly; it is a phala-śruti stating the spiritual merit—especially fame—gained by reciting, hearing, or arranging the recitation of a Skanda-connected sacred narrative.

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

It supports the householder/kingly duty of promoting dharma by sponsoring public recitations (chrāvayet) and engaging in śravaṇa (listening) and pāṭha (recitation), which the Purāṇas present as socially beneficial acts that build reputation (kīrti) and religious merit.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or temple-building rule is stated here; the ritual emphasis is on katha-śravaṇa and pāṭha—listening to and reciting sacred narrative—as a recognized Purāṇic practice with declared results (phala).