Shloka 84

Matsya Purana — Yadu Lineage

Devanagari script

ततो ऽनुसृष्टो देवेन कुण्डधारो ऽस्य धूमकृत् तदा तस्मिन्गते शुक्रे ह्य् असुराणां हिताय वै मन्त्रार्थं तत्र वसति ब्रह्मचर्यं महेश्वरे //

Transliteration

tato 'nusṛṣṭo devena kuṇḍadhāro 'sya dhūmakṛt tadā tasmingate śukre hy asurāṇāṃ hitāya vai mantrārthaṃ tatra vasati brahmacaryaṃ maheśvare //

Translation

Then, by the god’s command, Kuṇḍadhāra—who produced smoke—was dispatched. And when Śukra had gone there, indeed for the welfare of the Asuras, he stayed in that place for the sake of the mantra, observing brahmacarya in devotion to Maheśvara (Śiva).

Word by Word

• tataḥ: then

• anusṛṣṭaḥ: sent forth/dispatched

• devena: by the god

• kuṇḍadhāraḥ: Kuṇḍadhāra (proper name)

• asya: of him/for this purpose

• dhūma-kṛt: smoke-maker, one who produces smoke

• tadā: then

• tasmin: there/in that place

• gate: having gone

• śukre: Śukra (Uśanas), the preceptor of the Asuras

• hi: indeed

• asurāṇām: of the Asuras

• hitāya: for the benefit/welfare

• vai: indeed (emphatic particle)

• mantra-artham: for the purpose of mantra / to obtain mantra-power

• tatra: there

• vasati: he dwells/stays

• brahmacaryam: celibate discipline, student-like vow

• maheśvare: in (relation to) Maheśvara/Śiva

Speaker

• Sūta (narrator) describing the episode within the Matsya Purana’s dialogue framework

Entities Mentioned

• Kuṇḍadhāra
• Śukra (Uśanas)
• Asuras
• Maheśvara (Śiva)

Tags

• Mantra
• Brahmacarya
• Śiva
• Devāsura
• Ritual

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it highlights a mantra-oriented mission and ascetic discipline (brahmacarya) undertaken for a specific spiritual objective, indicating how power is sought through rite and restraint rather than cosmic dissolution themes.

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

Indirectly, it models dharmic discipline: success in sacred aims is linked to restraint (brahmacarya), devotion, and purposeful practice—principles a householder or ruler can apply as self-control, vow-keeping, and seeking counsel/ritual means for public welfare.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual significance is central: ‘mantrārtham’ and ‘brahmacaryam’ indicate mantra-siddhi pursued through vows and Śiva-oriented observance; Kuṇḍadhāra being ‘dhūmakṛt’ suggests a smoke/incense/fire-related ritual context rather than Vāstu or temple-measurement rules.