Shloka 59

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

Devanagari script

तारको नाम दैत्येन्द्रः सुरकेतुरनिर्जितः तस्याभावाय भगवाञ् जनयिष्यति चेश्वरः //

Transliteration

tārako nāma daityendraḥ suraketuranirjitaḥ tasyābhāvāya bhagavāñ janayiṣyati ceśvaraḥ //

Translation

There is a lord of the Dānavas named Tāraka, an unconquered foe of the gods. For his destruction, the Blessed Lord, the Supreme Ruler, will bring forth (a divine being).

Word by Word

• तारकः (tārakaḥ): Tāraka

• नाम (nāma): by name/known as

• दैत्येन्द्रः (daityendraḥ): lord of the Daityas (demon-king)

• सुरकेतुः (suraketuḥ): enemy/afflicter of the gods (lit. ‘banner/menace to the Suras’)

• अनिर्जितः (anirjitaḥ): unconquered, undefeated

• तस्य (tasya): of him

• अभावाय (abhāvāya): for the cessation/destruction (of his existence)

• भगवाञ् (bhagavān): the Blessed Lord

• जनयिष्यति (janayiṣyati): will generate/bring forth/cause to be born

• च (ca): and

• ईश्वरः (īśvaraḥ): the Lord, sovereign

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) speaking to Vaivasvata Manu (contextual attribution within Matsya Purana’s main dialogue frame)

Entities Mentioned

• Tāraka
• Daityas
• Bhagavān (Supreme Lord/Īśvara)
• Suras (gods)

Tags

• Deva-Asura conflict
• Prophecy
• Divine birth
• Puranic mythology
• Skanda narrative

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; it presents a restorative divine intervention where the Lord causes a birth specifically to remove an undefeated demonic threat and re-balance cosmic order.

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

By implication, it frames righteous governance as the removal of disruptive forces: just as the Lord acts to end Tāraka’s oppression, a king should protect dharma and curb tyrannical powers that harm social and ritual order.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or temple-building rule is stated in this verse; its ritual takeaway is theological—divine birth and divine agency are presented as sanctioned means for restoring dharma when ordinary powers cannot overcome adharma.