Shloka 10

Matsya Purana — Code of Conduct and Vow-Procedure for Courtesans

Devanagari script

भवतीनाम् ऋषिर्दाल्भ्यो यद्व्रतं कथयिष्यति तदैवोत्तारणायालं दासत्वे ऽपि भविष्यति इत्युक्त्वा ताः परिष्वज्य गतो द्वारवतीश्वरः //

Transliteration

bhavatīnām ṛṣirdālbhyo yadvrataṃ kathayiṣyati tadaivottāraṇāyālaṃ dāsatve 'pi bhaviṣyati ityuktvā tāḥ pariṣvajya gato dvāravatīśvaraḥ //

Translation

“The sage Dālbhya will teach you the vow (vrata) that is to be observed; that very vow will be sufficient to bring about your deliverance—even though you are in servitude.” Having said this, the Lord of Dvāravatī embraced them and departed.

Word by Word

• bhavatīnām: of you ladies/you women

• ṛṣiḥ: the sage

• dālbhyaḥ: (named) Dālbhya

• yat: which

• vratam: vow, sacred observance

• kathayiṣyati: will explain/teach

• tadā eva: just then/that itself

• uttāraṇāya: for deliverance, for crossing over (from bondage/sin)

• alam: sufficient, enough

• dāsatve api: even in the condition of servitude/slavery

• bhaviṣyati: will be/will become effective

• iti uktvā: having said thus

• tāḥ: them (those women)

• pariṣvajya: having embraced

• gataḥ: went/departed

• dvāravatī-īśvaraḥ: the Lord of Dvāravatī (Kṛṣṇa).

Speaker

• Narrator (Purāṇic narration) describing the actions/words of the Lord of Dvāravatī (Kṛṣṇa).

Entities Mentioned

• Dālbhya Ṛṣi
• Dvāravatī
• Dvāravatīśvara (Kṛṣṇa)
• Vrata (vow)

Tags

• Vrata
• Deliverance
• Bondage
• Sage-instruction
• Kṛṣṇa-Dvārakā

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss pralaya; it emphasizes personal deliverance through a vrata taught by the sage Dālbhya, even under the hardship of servitude.

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

It highlights dharma as accessible through prescribed vows and guidance from qualified sages—suggesting that rulers and householders should support and follow such observances as a means of moral and spiritual uplift, especially for those in distress.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual significance is the central point: a specific vrata (vowed observance) is presented as a sufficient means of “crossing over” bondage; no vastu or temple-building rule is stated in this verse.