Matsya Purana — The Tale of Brahmadatta: Past-life Memory, Shloka 32

Devanagari script

हा वयं योगविभ्रष्टाः कामतः कर्मबन्धनाः एवं विलप्य बहुशस् त्रयस्ते योगपारगाः //

Transliteration

hā vayaṃ yogavibhraṣṭāḥ kāmataḥ karmabandhanāḥ evaṃ vilapya bahuśas trayaste yogapāragāḥ //

Translation

«وا أسفاه! لقد انحرفنا عن اليوغا؛ وبسبب الشهوة صرنا مقيّدين برباط الكارما.» هكذا أخذوا ينوحون مرارًا وتكرارًا؛ أولئك الثلاثة الذين كانوا قد بلغوا من قبل شاطئ اليوغا الآخر.

Word by Word

• हा (hā): alas

• वयम् (vayam): we

• योग-विभ्रष्टाः (yoga-vibhraṣṭāḥ): fallen from yoga, deviated from yogic discipline

• कामतः (kāmataḥ): due to desire, from lust/longing

• कर्म-बन्धनाः (karma-bandhanāḥ): bound by karma, tied by the fetters of action and its results

• एवम् (evam): thus

• विलप्य (vilapya): lamenting, wailing

• बहुशः (bahuśaḥ): repeatedly, many times

• त्रयः (trayaḥ): three

• ते (te): those

• योग-पारगाः (yoga-pāragāḥ): those who have gone beyond yoga, masters who reached yoga’s far shore

Speaker

• Narrator describing the speech of three yogins/sages (within the Matsya–Manu dialogue frame)

Entities Mentioned

• three yogins (trayaḥ yogapāragāḥ)
• karma (karman)
• kāma (desire)
• yoga

Tags

• Yoga
• Karma
• Kama
• Detachment
• Dharma

FAQs

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

This verse is not about cosmic pralaya; it teaches an inner, ethical causality: desire (kāma) pulls one from yoga and creates karmic bondage, a “personal dissolution” of spiritual steadiness.

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

It warns that indulgence in desire produces binding consequences; for a king or householder, the implied duty is disciplined restraint, right intention, and action aligned with dharma so that karma does not become a fetter.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or ritual procedure is specified here; the takeaway is preparatory—purity of mind and control of desire are foundational for any effective rite, vrata, or temple-related observance taught elsewhere in the Matsya Purana.