Matsya Purana — Code of Conduct and Vow-Procedure for Courtesans, Shloka 11

Devanagari script

ततः कालेन महता भारावतरणे कृते निवृत्ते मौसले तद्वत् केशवे दिवमागते //

Transliteration

tataḥ kālena mahatā bhārāvataraṇe kṛte nivṛtte mausale tadvat keśave divamāgate //

Translation

Puis, après un long temps—lorsque la descente destinée à soulager le fardeau de la terre eut été accomplie, lorsque la destruction dite Mausala eut pris fin, et de même lorsque Keśava fut monté au ciel—

Word by Word

• tataḥ: then/thereafter

• kālena: with time/in due course

• mahatā: great/long

• bhārāvataraṇe: in the removal of the earth’s burden

• kṛte: having been done/accomplished

• nivṛtte: having ceased/come to an end

• mausale: in the Mausala episode (the Yādava internecine destruction)

• tadvat: likewise/so too

• keśave: when Keśava (Kṛṣṇa/Vişṇu)

• divam: to heaven

• āgate: having gone/arrived (i.e., departed from the world).

Speaker

• Sūta (Purāṇic narrator) or the primary narrator continuing the account

Entities Mentioned

• Keśava
• Bhārāvataraṇa
• Mausala

Tags

• Bhārāvataraṇa
• Mausala-parvan
• Kṛṣṇa
• Yādava end
• Purāṇic history

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe cosmic pralaya; it marks a historical-epic closure: the earth’s burden is relieved, the Mausala calamity ends, and Keśava departs—signaling the completion of an avatāra’s purpose rather than universal dissolution.

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

Indirectly, it frames dharma through time: even divine interventions conclude once their purpose (restoring balance by removing the ‘burden’) is fulfilled, reminding rulers and householders that power, prosperity, and even great lineages are temporary and must be guided by dharma.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or ritual procedure is stated in this verse; its significance is narrative and theological—closing the Mausala episode and noting Keśava’s departure.