Matsya Purana — The Strategy to Defeat Tāraka: Pārvatī’s Birth, Shloka 155

Devanagari script

अतः कर्त्रा तु शास्त्रेषु सुतलाभः प्रशंसितः प्राणिनां मोहनार्थाय नरकत्राणसंश्रयात् //

Transliteration

ataḥ kartrā tu śāstreṣu sutalābhaḥ praśaṃsitaḥ prāṇināṃ mohanārthāya narakatrāṇasaṃśrayāt //

Translation

Therefore, the author of the scriptures has praised the attainment of Sutala, as a teaching device to guide living beings—since it serves as a refuge that protects them from (falling into) hell.

Word by Word

• ataḥ: therefore

• kartrā: by the maker/author (of the teaching)

• tu: indeed

• śāstreṣu: in the śāstras/scriptures

• sutalābhaḥ: the gaining/attainment of Sutala (a nether realm)

• praśaṃsitaḥ: is praised/commended

• prāṇinām: of living beings

• mohanārthāya: for the purpose of influencing/leading (didactically, by persuasive instruction)

• naraka: hell

• trāṇa: protection/rescue

• saṃśrayāt: because of being a shelter/refuge (i.e., as a means of protection).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu (contextual attribution for this chapter-range in the Matsya Purana)

Entities Mentioned

• Sutala
• Naraka

Tags

• Naraka
• Pātāla
• Didactic Dharma
• Afterlife
• Scriptural Deterrence

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; it focuses on post-death moral consequence (Naraka) and how scripture uses cosmological destinations like Sutala as a didactic safeguard to steer beings away from downfall.

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

It frames scripture as moral governance: a king or householder should uphold dharma by educating and restraining harmful conduct through clear consequences—protecting people from “hellish” outcomes (social and karmic) via guidance, discipline, and righteous living.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or temple-ritual rule is stated; the verse is doctrinal, emphasizing the pedagogical function of cosmology (Sutala/Naraka) rather than construction or iconography.