Shloka 17

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

Devanagari script

*स्त्रिय ऊचुः दस्युभिर्भगवान्सर्वाः परिभुक्ता वयं बलात् स्वधर्माच्च्यवने ऽस्माकम् अस्मिन्नः शरणं भव //

Transliteration

*striya ūcuḥ dasyubhirbhagavānsarvāḥ paribhuktā vayaṃ balāt svadharmāccyavane 'smākam asminnaḥ śaraṇaṃ bhava //

Translation

The women said: “O Blessed Lord, we have all been violated by robbers by force. Since we have fallen away from our own rightful dharma, be for us a refuge in this plight.”

Word by Word

• striyaḥ: the women

• ūcuḥ: said

• dasyubhiḥ: by bandits/robbers

• bhagavan: O Blessed Lord

• sarvāḥ: all (of us)

• paribhuktāḥ: sexually used/violated, dishonoured

• vayam: we

• balāt: by force

• svadharmāt: from one’s own dharma/proper conduct

• cyavane: in falling away/deviation

• asmākam: of us/for us

• asmin: in this (situation)

• naḥ: to us/for us

• śaraṇam: refuge/protection

• bhava: be (become).

Speaker

• Women (striyaḥ) appealing to a revered authority (bhagavan) within the narrative

Entities Mentioned

• Dasyu (bandits/robbers)
• Bhagavan (the Blessed Lord)

Tags

• Dharma
• Protection
• Social order
• Appeal for refuge
• Ethics

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya or cosmic dissolution; it focuses on human-level adharma (violent wrongdoing) and a plea for refuge and moral restoration.

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

It highlights the protective duty central to rajadharma: society expects a righteous authority to give shelter, restore dignity, and punish violent criminals (dasyus). It also reflects the puranic idea that social order is upheld when the vulnerable can seek effective refuge.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No vastu, temple-building, or ritual procedure is mentioned; the key takeaway is ethical—seeking śaraṇa (refuge/protection) in a crisis of adharma.