Shloka 24

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

Devanagari script

यदकृत्वा प्रणामं मे रूपसौभाग्यमत्सरात् परिपृष्टो ऽस्मि तेनाशु वियोगो वो भविष्यति चौरैरपहृताः सर्वा वेश्यात्वं समवाप्स्यथ //

Transliteration

yadakṛtvā praṇāmaṃ me rūpasaubhāgyamatsarāt paripṛṣṭo 'smi tenāśu viyogo vo bhaviṣyati caurairapahṛtāḥ sarvā veśyātvaṃ samavāpsyatha //

Translation

Because, out of envy for my beauty and good fortune, you questioned me without first offering reverence, separation will soon come upon you; and all of you, carried off by thieves, will fall into the condition of courtesans (veśyā).

Word by Word

• yat: because/since

• akṛtvā: without doing

• praṇāmam: salutation, respectful bow

• me: to me/my

• rūpa: beauty, form

• saubhāgya: good fortune, auspicious prosperity

• matsarāt: from envy, out of jealousy

• paripṛṣṭaḥ: questioned, interrogated

• asmi: I am/was

• tena: therefore/by that

• āśu: quickly, soon

• viyogaḥ: separation, disunion

• vaḥ: for you/your

• bhaviṣyati: will happen, will come to be

• cauraiḥ: by thieves

• apahṛtāḥ: abducted, carried away, stolen

• sarvāḥ: all (of you), entirely

• veśyātvaṃ: the state/condition of a veśyā (courtesan/prostitute)

• samavāpsyatha: you will attain, you will come to.

Speaker

• Unspecified woman/figure in a narrative episode (issuing a curse as moral consequence)

Entities Mentioned

• Thieves (caura)

Tags

• Shapa (Curse)
• Aparadha (Disrespect)
• Matsara (Envy)
• Social Consequences
• Ethical Warning

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it focuses on ethical causality—how envy and disrespect trigger immediate misfortune and social ruin.

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

It reinforces dharma-based conduct: showing proper respect (praṇāma), restraining jealousy (matsara), and speaking with humility—virtues expected of householders and rulers to prevent conflict and downfall.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual cue is praṇāma (reverential salutation), emphasizing correct etiquette before inquiry; no Vāstu or temple-architecture rule is stated in this verse.