Shloka 20

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

Devanagari script

*दाल्भ्य उवाच जलक्रीडाविहारेषु पुरा सरसि मानसे भवतीनां च सर्वासां नारदो ऽभ्याशमागतः //

Transliteration

*dālbhya uvāca jalakrīḍāvihāreṣu purā sarasi mānase bhavatīnāṃ ca sarvāsāṃ nārado 'bhyāśamāgataḥ //

Translation

Dālbhya said: Formerly, when you all were sporting and delighting in water in the lake Mānasa, Nārada came near to all of you.

Word by Word

• दाल्भ्यः: Dālbhya (the sage)

• उवाच: said

• जल-क्रीडा-विहारेषु: during water-play and recreation

• पुरा: formerly/once upon a time

• सरसि: in the lake

• मानसे: at (the) Mānasa (lake)

• भवतीनाम्: of you (honorific, plural)

• च: and

• सर्वासाम्: of all (feminine plural)

• नारदः: Nārada

• अभ्याशम्: near/into proximity

• आगतः: came/arrived

Speaker

• Dālbhya

Entities Mentioned

• Dālbhya
• Nārada
• Mānasa-sarovara (Lake Manasa)

Tags

• Rishi-dialogue
• Sacred geography
• Narrative frame
• Nārada
• Matsya Purana episode

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya directly; it frames a narrative scene at Mānasa-sarovara, preparing for a teaching or event introduced through Nārada’s arrival.

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

Indirectly, it shows the Purāṇic method of transmitting dharma: instruction is introduced through revered messengers like Nārada, whose forthcoming words typically guide conduct, vows, and ethical duties.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No explicit Vāstu or ritual rule appears in this line; its significance is contextual—establishing the sacred setting (Mānasa lake) and the authoritative speaker (Nārada) often used to introduce ritual or doctrinal teachings.