Shloka 56

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

Devanagari script

ततः प्रभृति यो विप्रो रत्यर्थं गृहमागतः स मान्यः सूर्यवारे च स मन्तव्यो भवेत्तदा //

Transliteration

tataḥ prabhṛti yo vipro ratyarthaṃ gṛhamāgataḥ sa mānyaḥ sūryavāre ca sa mantavyo bhavettadā //

Translation

From that time onward, any Brahmin who comes to the house seeking sensual enjoyment is to be honored and treated with respect; and on Sunday as well, at that time, he is to be regarded as worthy of reverence.

Word by Word

• tataḥ prabhṛti: from then onward

• yaḥ: who

• vipraḥ: a Brahmin

• ratyartham: for the sake of pleasure/sexual enjoyment

• gṛham: to the house

• āgataḥ: having come

• saḥ: he

• mānyaḥ: to be honored/respected

• sūryavāre: on Sunday (Sun’s day)

• ca: and/also

• saḥ: he

• mantavyaḥ: to be considered (as such)/to be regarded

• bhavet: should be/is to be

• tadā: then/at that time

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, within a dharma-teaching frame)

Entities Mentioned

• Vipra (Brahmin)
• Sūryavāra (Sunday)

Tags

• Grihastha Dharma
• Atithi Satkara
• Social Ethics
• Vrata/Weekday Observance
• Householder Duties

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya or cosmology; it focuses on social-ethical conduct within household life, specifically how certain guests are to be treated.

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

It reinforces gṛhastha-dharma: honoring a visiting vipra as part of prescribed etiquette. The verse frames guest-honor (mānya, mantavya) as a normative duty, implying that social order and merit depend on regulated hospitality and respect.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No vastu/temple-architecture rule appears here; the ritual element is the weekday marker (sūryavāra), indicating that observances and conduct may be conditioned by calendrical/ritual time.