Shloka 26

Matsya Purana — Devayānī and Śarmiṣṭhā’s Quarrel

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

شونک نے کہا—وہ گھُورنِکا جلدی سے جا کر اسُر کے محل میں پہنچی۔ کاویہ (شُکر) کو دیکھ کر وہ کانپتی اور بے خود ہو کر یہ باتیں بولی۔

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.