HomeMatsya PuranaAdh. 154Shloka 175

Shloka 175

Matsya Purana — The Strategy to Defeat Tāraka: Pārvatī’s Birth

इत्युक्त्वा विरतः शैलो महादुःखविचारणात् श्रुत्वैतदखिलं तस्माच् छैलराजमुखाम्बुजात् स्मितपूर्वमुवाचेदं नारदो देवचोदितः //

ityuktvā virataḥ śailo mahāduḥkhavicāraṇāt śrutvaitadakhilaṃ tasmāc chailarājamukhāmbujāt smitapūrvamuvācedaṃ nārado devacoditaḥ //

Having spoken thus, the Mountain ceased his deliberation upon great sorrow. Then, after hearing everything from the lotus-like mouth of the king of mountains, Nārada—impelled by the gods—smiled first and spoke these words.

iti-uktvāhaving thus spoken
iti-uktvā:
virataḥceased, desisted
virataḥ:
śailaḥthe mountain
śailaḥ:
mahā-duḥkha-vicāraṇātfrom pondering over great grief
mahā-duḥkha-vicāraṇāt:
śrutvāhaving heard
śrutvā:
etat-akhilamall of this entirely
etat-akhilam:
tasmātfrom him/thereupon
tasmāt:
śaila-rājaking of mountains
śaila-rāja:
mukha-ambujātfrom the lotus-like mouth
mukha-ambujāt:
smita-pūrvamwith a prior smile, smiling first
smita-pūrvam:
uvācasaid, spoke
uvāca:
idamthis (speech)
idam:
nāradaḥNārada
nāradaḥ:
deva-coditaḥurged/impelled by the gods.
deva-coditaḥ:
Narrator (Purāṇic narrator describing the scene); Nārada is introduced as the next speaker
NāradaŚailarāja (King of Mountains)Devas (gods)
DialogueNaradaPuranic narrativeDharma discourseSorrow and counsel

FAQs

This verse does not describe pralaya directly; it is a transition verse that frames a teaching moment—after grief is expressed, Nārada is prompted by the gods to speak, preparing the ground for doctrinal instruction.

Indirectly, it models a dharmic pattern: when overwhelmed by sorrow or crisis, one should pause unproductive lamentation and seek (or accept) guidance from a wise counselor like Nārada—an approach applicable to rulers and householders facing difficult decisions.

No Vāstu/temple-building or ritual procedure is stated in this verse; it functions as narrative scaffolding introducing Nārada’s forthcoming instruction.