Shloka 21

Matsya Purana — Uma’s Austerities and the Slaying of the Deceiver Asura ĀḌi

Devanagari script

इत्युक्तो ऽमरतां मेने दैत्यसूनुर् महाबलः तस्मिन्काले तु संस्मृत्य तद्वधोपायमात्मनः //

Transliteration

ityukto 'maratāṃ mene daityasūnur mahābalaḥ tasminkāle tu saṃsmṛtya tadvadhopāyamātmanaḥ //

Translation

Thus addressed, the mighty son of the Daitya deemed himself to have attained immortality; but at that very time, recalling for himself the stratagem for his slaying, he reflected upon the means by which he could be killed.

Word by Word

• iti: thus

• uktaḥ: spoken to/addressed

• amaratām: immortality/deathlessness

• mene: considered/thought

• daitya-sūnuḥ: son of a Daitya (demon)

• mahā-balaḥ: of great strength

• tasmin kāle: at that time

• tu: indeed/but

• saṃsmṛtya: remembering/recalling

• tad-vadha-upāyam: the means/strategy of his killing

• ātmanaḥ: for himself/in his own case

Speaker

• Narrator (Purāṇic narrative voice within the Matsya Purana’s episode)

Entities Mentioned

• Daitya (demon clan)
• Daityasūnu (son of a Daitya)
• Amaratā (immortality)

Tags

• Daitya
• Deva–Asura conflict
• Boons and loopholes
• Fate
• Strategy

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya directly; it highlights a common Purāṇic theme: apparent invulnerability or “immortality” is still conditioned and can be undone by a remembered or destined means of death.

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

Ethically, it warns against arrogance born of power or boons: rulers and householders should act with humility and foresight, recognizing that security based on pride is fragile and that consequences (karma and polity) have “means” that catch up.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu, temple-building, or ritual procedure is specified in this verse; its focus is narrative psychology—confidence in deathlessness and the recollection of a ‘vadhopāya’ (method of slaying).