Matsya Purana — The Strategy to Defeat Tāraka: Pārvatī’s Birth, Shloka 98

Devanagari script

नारकाणामपि तदा सुखं स्वर्गसमं महत् अभवत्क्रूरसत्त्वानां चेतः शान्तं च देहिनाम् //

Transliteration

nārakāṇāmapi tadā sukhaṃ svargasamaṃ mahat abhavatkrūrasattvānāṃ cetaḥ śāntaṃ ca dehinām //

Translation

Then even those in hell experienced a great happiness equal to heaven; and the minds of embodied beings—even of cruel-natured creatures—became calm and peaceful.

Word by Word

• नारकाणाम्: of the hell-dwellers

• अपि: even

• तदा: then/at that time

• सुखम्: happiness/comfort

• स्वर्ग-समम्: equal to heaven

• महत्: great

• अभवत्: became/occurred

• क्रूर-सत्त्वानाम्: of fierce/cruel beings

• चेतः: mind/heart

• शान्तम्: pacified/peaceful

• च: and

• देहिनाम्: of embodied beings

Speaker

• Likely Sūta (Purāṇic narrator) continuing the Matsya Purana’s description of karmic realms; exact dialogue turn not explicit from this single verse.

Tags

• Naraka
• Karmaphala
• Afterlife
• Shanti
• Purana Ethics

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it highlights karmaphala (results of deeds) and how a powerful dharmic influence can temporarily transform even hellish experience into svarga-like ease and inner calm.

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

It supports the Matsya Purana’s ethical framework that dharma, charity, and righteous conduct have far-reaching effects—promoting śānti (peace) and reducing cruelty—implying that rulers and householders should cultivate virtue that uplifts society and even mitigates suffering in unseen realms.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu/temple-architecture rule is stated in this verse; its ritual takeaway is the Purāṇic idea that dharmic merit and sanctifying acts can generate śānti so strong that it pacifies beings and conditions associated with punishment.