Matsya Purana — The Strategy to Defeat Tāraka: Pārvatī’s Birth, Shloka 34

Devanagari script

अपहृत्य विमानगणं स कृतो दितिजेन महामरुभूमिसमः कृतवानसि सर्वगुणातिशयं यमशेषमहीधरराजतया //

Transliteration

apahṛtya vimānagaṇaṃ sa kṛto ditijena mahāmarubhūmisamaḥ kṛtavānasi sarvaguṇātiśayaṃ yamaśeṣamahīdhararājatayā //

Translation

เมื่อชิงเอาหมู่วิมานไป ไทตยะผู้นั้นก็ถูกทำให้ราวกับผืนทะเลทรายกว้างใหญ่ที่รกร้างว่างเปล่า แต่พระองค์ได้ทรงสร้างวิมาน/ปราสาทนี้ให้เลิศด้วยคุณสมบัติทั้งปวง ตั้งตระหง่านด้วยสง่าราศีดุจราชาแห่งขุนเขา สูงส่งและมั่นคงดุจยอดเขาผู้ค้ำจุนโลก.

Word by Word

• अपहृत्य: having seized/abducted

• विमानगणम्: the multitude/assembly of vimānas (celestial chariots/aerial mansions)

• सः: he

• कृतः: was made/became

• दितिजेन: by a son of Diti (Daitya/demon)

• महा-मरुभूमि-समः: equal to a great desert (utterly barren/ruined)

• कृतवान् असि: you have made/you have produced

• सर्व-गुण-अतिशयम्: surpassing/excelling in all qualities

• यम-शेष-महीधर-राजतया: with the majesty of the king of mountains, like the remaining/enduring world-supporting peaks (i.e., great mountain-lords).

Speaker

• Likely Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing/commending Vaivasvata Manu within the Vastuvidya discourse (context inferred from chapter theme).

Entities Mentioned

• Daitya (son of Diti)
• Vimanas
• Mahidhara (mountain-lords)

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Vimana
• Iconography
• Merit and downfall
• Puranic architecture

FAQs

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

It does not describe cosmic Pralaya directly; instead it uses an image of desolation—“like a great desert”—to depict the ruin that follows wrongful seizure, contrasting it with the enduring, mountain-like stability of a properly fashioned structure.

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

It implies a dharmic principle relevant to rulers and householders: covetous appropriation (stealing prized resources like vimānas) leads to decline, while rightful construction and patronage that perfects ‘all qualities’ brings lasting renown and stability.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The verse praises a vimāna/edifice as ‘surpassing in all qualities’ and ‘mountain-king-like,’ signaling Vāstu ideals of excellence—grandeur, firmness, elevation, and enduring presence—used in Matsya Purana-style architectural commendation.