Shloka 104

Matsya Purana — Yadu Lineage

Devanagari script

तं दृष्ट्वा स्त्रीवधं घोरं चुक्रोध भृगुरीश्वरः ततो ऽभिशप्तो भृगुणा विष्णुर् भार्यावधे तदा //

Transliteration

taṃ dṛṣṭvā strīvadhaṃ ghoraṃ cukrodha bhṛgurīśvaraḥ tato 'bhiśapto bhṛguṇā viṣṇur bhāryāvadhe tadā //

Translation

Seeing that dreadful killing of a woman, the great lordly sage Bhṛgu flared with anger. Then, at that time, Viṣṇu was cursed by Bhṛgu on account of the slaying of (Bhṛgu’s) wife.

Word by Word

• tam: that (act/incident)

• dṛṣṭvā: having seen

• strī-vadham: the killing of a woman

• ghoram: dreadful, terrible

• cukrodha: became enraged

• bhṛguḥ-īśvaraḥ: Bhṛgu, the mighty lord among sages

• tataḥ: then

• abhiśaptaḥ: was cursed

• bhṛguṇā: by Bhṛgu

• viṣṇuḥ: Viṣṇu

• bhāryā-vadhe: because of the killing of (his) wife / in the matter of wife-slaying

• tadā: at that time.

Speaker

• Suta-like narrator (Purāṇic narrator continuing the episode); within the larger Matsya–Manu dialogue framework

Entities Mentioned

• Bhṛgu
• Viṣṇu

Tags

• Dharma
• Rishi-Curse
• Ahimsa
• Karmic-Consequence
• Itihasa

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it highlights moral causality in Purāṇic history—grave wrongdoing (especially violence against a woman) triggers powerful consequences such as a sage’s curse, even upon a deity.

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

It reinforces a core dharma principle: protection of women and non-violence toward the vulnerable. For rulers especially, strī-vadha is portrayed as a horrific transgression that invites social and spiritual collapse through retribution and curse.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or temple-ritual rule is stated in this verse; its significance is ethical and narrative—showing the potency of ṛṣi-tejas (ascetic power) and the dharmic consequences of unlawful killing.