Matsya Purana — The Strategy to Defeat Tāraka: Pārvatī’s Birth, Shloka 46

Devanagari script

इत्युक्तः स्वात्मभूर्देवः सुरैर्दैत्यविचेष्टितम् सुरानुवाच भगवांस् ततः स्मितमुखाम्बुजः //

Transliteration

ityuktaḥ svātmabhūrdevaḥ surairdaityaviceṣṭitam surānuvāca bhagavāṃs tataḥ smitamukhāmbujaḥ //

Translation

Ainsi sollicité par les dieux au sujet des desseins agressifs des daityas, le Seigneur Né-de-Lui-même (Brahmā), le Bienheureux—au visage de lotus doucement souriant—s’adressa alors aux Devas.

Word by Word

• iti-uktaḥ: thus spoken to/thus addressed

• svātmabhūḥ: the Self-born (Brahmā)

• devaḥ: the god/Lord

• suraiḥ: by the Devas

• daitya-viceṣṭitam: the actions/plots/hostile efforts of the Daityas (demons)

• surān: the Devas

• uvāca: said/spoke

• bhagavān: the Blessed Lord

• tataḥ: then/thereupon

• smita: smiling/gentle smile

• mukha: face

• ambujaḥ: lotus (lotus-like), i.e., lotus-faced

Speaker

• Narrator (Purāṇic narration) introducing Brahmā’s reply to the Devas

Entities Mentioned

• Brahma (Svayambhu)
• Devas (Suras)
• Daityas

Tags

• Devas-Asuras
• Cosmic order
• Divine counsel
• Puranic narrative
• Pralaya-Khanda

FAQs

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

Indirectly, it shows cosmic administration: when disorder arises through Daitya aggression, the Devas seek Brahmā’s guidance—an aspect of maintaining order across cycles that include creation and dissolution.

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

It models dharmic governance: when confronted with hostile forces or crises, one should seek wise counsel and respond calmly and strategically—mirroring a king’s duty to protect order and a householder’s duty to act without panic.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or ritual procedure is specified in this verse; it functions as a narrative transition introducing Brahmā’s instruction, which may frame later prescriptive material.