Shloka 25

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

Devanagari script

एवं नारदशापेन केशवस्य च धीमतः वेश्यात्वमागताः सर्वा भवन्त्यः काममोहिताः इदानीमपि यद्वक्ष्ये तच्छृणुध्वं वराङ्गनाः //

Transliteration

evaṃ nāradaśāpena keśavasya ca dhīmataḥ veśyātvamāgatāḥ sarvā bhavantyaḥ kāmamohitāḥ idānīmapi yadvakṣye tacchṛṇudhvaṃ varāṅganāḥ //

Translation

Thus, by Nārada’s curse—even in the presence of wise Keśava—all those women, deluded by desire, came to the state of courtesans. And now too, O lovely-limbed women, listen to what I shall declare.

Word by Word

• evaṃ: thus

• nārada-śāpena: by the curse of Nārada

• keśavasya: of Keśava (Viṣṇu/Kṛṣṇa)

• ca: and/even

• dhī-mataḥ: of the wise one, of discerning intellect

• veśyātvam: the condition of being a courtesan/prostitute

• āgatāḥ: having come to, having attained

• sarvāḥ: all

• bhavantyaḥ: the women/ladies (those present)

• kāma-mohitāḥ: deluded/infatuated by desire

• idānīm api: even now, at present also

• yat: what

• vakṣye: I shall speak, I shall explain

• tat: that

• śṛṇudhvaṃ: listen (plural, imperative)

• varāṅganāḥ: O beautiful women, O fair-limbed ladies

Speaker

• Narrator within the Matsya Purana’s dialogue frame (instructional voice addressing women; likely Sūta recounting a didactic episode)

Entities Mentioned

• Nārada
• Keśava

Tags

• Ethics
• Karma
• Curse
• Desire
• Didactic Narrative

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya; it is a moral-narrative statement about the power of a sage’s curse and the delusion caused by desire (kāma-moha).

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

It underscores self-restraint and vigilance against kāma (desire) and moha (delusion). For kings and householders, the implied dharma is to govern and live with discipline, avoiding conduct that leads to social and ethical downfall.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu, temple-building, or ritual procedure is stated in this verse; its significance is ethical and narrative, warning about desire-driven degradation and the consequences of curses.