Shloka 16

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

Devanagari script

दिव्यभावां तां च पुरीं नानारत्नगृहाणि च द्वारकावासिनः सर्वान् देवरूपान्कुमारकान् प्रश्नमेवं करिष्यन्ति मुनेरभिमुखं स्थिताः //

Transliteration

divyabhāvāṃ tāṃ ca purīṃ nānāratnagṛhāṇi ca dvārakāvāsinaḥ sarvān devarūpānkumārakān praśnamevaṃ kariṣyanti munerabhimukhaṃ sthitāḥ //

Translation

Standing face to face with the sage, they will ask in this manner—about the city of Dvārakā, wondrous in its nature, with houses adorned with many kinds of jewels, and about all its inhabitants: youthful boys of godlike form.

Word by Word

• divyabhāvām: of wondrous/divine character

• tām: that

• ca: and

• purīm: city

• nānā-ratna-gṛhāṇi: houses (gṛhāṇi) with many kinds of jewels (nānā-ratna)

• ca: and

• dvārakā-vāsinaḥ: the residents of Dvārakā

• sarvān: all

• deva-rūpān: having the form/appearance of gods, godlike

• kumārakān: boys/youths

• praśnam: a question

• evam: thus/in this manner

• kariṣyanti: they will do/make (they will ask/pose)

• muneḥ: of the sage

• abhimukham: facing/towards

• sthitāḥ: standing/positioned.

Speaker

• Narrator (Purāṇic narrator describing the forthcoming inquiry to a sage)

Entities Mentioned

• Dvārakā
• muni (sage)

Tags

• Dvārakā
• Sacred city
• Pilgrimage
• Puranic narrative
• Divine inhabitants

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it focuses on the splendor of Dvārakā and the act of questioning a sage about the city and its inhabitants.

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

Indirectly, it reflects the Purāṇic ideal of seeking authoritative guidance—approaching a learned sage respectfully and inquiring properly—an ethic applicable to rulers and householders alike.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Architecturally, it highlights a cityscape of “many jewel-adorned houses,” a trope of ideal sacred/royal urban grandeur; ritually, it frames a formal inquiry to a sage, implying a tradition of sanctioned knowledge transmission.