Matsya Purana — The Strategy to Defeat Tāraka: Pārvatī’s Birth, Shloka 162

Devanagari script

परिच्छिन्ने ऽप्यसंदिग्धे मनः परिभवाश्रयम् तृष्णा मुष्णाति निष्णाता फललोभाश्रयाशुभा //

Transliteration

paricchinne 'pyasaṃdigdhe manaḥ paribhavāśrayam tṛṣṇā muṣṇāti niṣṇātā phalalobhāśrayāśubhā //

Translation

Selbst wenn der Geist klar umrissen und frei von Zweifel ist, stiehlt ihn das Verlangen—kundig in Täuschung—und macht ihn zum Sitz der Erniedrigung, denn es ruht auf der unheilvollen Gier nach Früchten.

Word by Word

• paricchinne: restrained/limited

• api: even

• asaṃdigdhe: free from doubt/certain

• manaḥ: the mind

• paribhava-āśrayam: a support/abode of humiliation/defeat

• tṛṣṇā: craving/thirst

• muṣṇāti: steals/robs

• niṣṇātā: expert/skilled

• phala-lobha-āśrayā: resting on greed for fruits/results

• aśubhā: inauspicious/harmful

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Tags

• Rajadharma
• Niti
• Trishna
• Lobha
• Mind-control

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss cosmic creation or Pralaya directly; it teaches an inner, ethical “dissolution” where craving can undo mental clarity and discipline.

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

It warns rulers and householders that attachment to outcomes (phala-lobha) corrupts judgment; dharmic action should be performed without being robbed by craving, which otherwise leads to disgrace and policy failure.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vastu/temple-architecture or ritual procedure is stated here; the significance is preparatory—self-mastery and freedom from result-greed are presented as essential disciplines before any dharmic governance or religious undertaking.