Matsya Purana — Devayānī and Śarmiṣṭhā’s Quarrel, Shloka 26

Devanagari script

*शौनक उवाच सा तु वै त्वरितं गत्वा घूर्णिकासुरमन्दिरम् दृष्ट्वा काव्यमुवाचेदं कम्पमाना विचेतना //

Transliteration

*śaunaka uvāca sā tu vai tvaritaṃ gatvā ghūrṇikāsuramandiram dṛṣṭvā kāvyamuvācedaṃ kampamānā vicetanā //

Translation

சௌனகர் கூறினார்—அவள் கூர்ணிகா விரைந்து சென்று அசுர மாளிகையை அடைந்தாள். காவ்யன் (சுக்ரன்) அவரைக் கண்டதும், நடுங்கி மனம் கலங்கி இவ்வாறு உரைத்தாள்।

Word by Word

• शौनक उवाच: Śaunaka said

• सा: she

• तु वै: indeed/then

• त्वरितं: quickly, in haste

• गत्वा: having gone

• घूर्णिकासुरमन्दिरम्: the mansion/dwelling of the asura Ghūrṇikā

• दृष्ट्वा: having seen

• काव्यम्: Kāvya (Śukra, the preceptor of the Asuras)

• उवाच: said/spoke

• इदं: this

• कम्पमाना: trembling

• विचेतना: senseless, distraught, beside herself

Speaker

• Śaunaka

Entities Mentioned

• Śaunaka
• Ghūrṇikā (asura)
• Kāvya (Śukra)

Tags

• Puranic narrative
• Asura episode
• Dialogue frame
• Śukra
• Fear/distress

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe pralaya or cosmology; it is a narrative transition showing a distressed woman rushing to an asura’s dwelling and addressing Śukra (Kāvya).

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

Indirectly, it highlights the ethical theme of seeking counsel in crisis: approaching a learned advisor (here, Śukra/Kāvya) when overwhelmed—an idea echoed in Purāṇic guidance about relying on wise counsel during danger.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The only built-environment reference is “mandira” (dwelling/mansion) of an asura; no Vāstu rules or ritual procedure are specified in this verse.