Shloka 14

Matsya Purana — The Syamantaka Jewel Episode and the Vrishni–Sainya Genealogies

Devanagari script

तुष्टावैनं तदा ऋक्षः कर्मभिर्वैष्णवैः प्रभुम् ततस्तुष्टस्तु भगवान् वरेणैनमरोचयत् //

Transliteration

tuṣṭāvainaṃ tadā ṛkṣaḥ karmabhirvaiṣṇavaiḥ prabhum tatastuṣṭastu bhagavān vareṇainamarocayat //

Translation

Then the Bear (Ṛkṣa) praised that Lord, the supreme Master, by performing Vaiṣṇava rites and acts of devotion; and the Blessed Lord, being pleased, granted him a boon of his choosing.

Word by Word

• तुष्टाव (tuṣṭāva): praised, extolled

• एनम् (enam): him

• तदा (tadā): then

• ऋक्षः (ṛkṣaḥ): the Bear (a being named Ṛkṣa / a bear)

• कर्मभिः (karmabhiḥ): by actions, through rites

• वैष्णवैः (vaiṣṇavaiḥ): devoted to Vishnu, Vaishnava

• प्रभुम् (prabhum): the Lord, master

• ततः (tataḥ): then, thereafter

• तुष्टः (tuṣṭaḥ): pleased

• तु (tu): indeed

• भगवान् (bhagavān): the Blessed Lord

• वरेण (vareṇa): by a boon, with a boon

• एनम् (enam): him

• अरोचयत् (arocayat): granted/approved (his wish), bestowed (favorably).

Speaker

• Sūta (narratorial voice) describing the episode

Entities Mentioned

• Ṛkṣa
• Bhagavān (Vishnu)
• Vaiṣṇava karmas (Vaishnava rites)

Tags

• Bhakti
• Boons
• Vaishnava Ritual
• Praise (Stuti)
• Puranic Narrative

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe pralaya directly; it highlights the Purāṇic principle that devotional acts (Vaiṣṇava karmas) and praise (stuti) lead to divine favor and boon-bestowal.

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

It supports the Matsya Purana’s ethical-religious model where householders (and kings) should perform Vishnu-oriented rites and maintain disciplined devotional practice, since righteous ritual action and sincere praise are portrayed as effective means to obtain divine guidance and success.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual takeaway is explicit: “Vaiṣṇava karmas” (Vishnu-centered rites/observances) are presented as the proper method of worship that pleases the deity and results in the granting of a boon.