Shloka 6

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

Devanagari script

अनङ्गशरतप्ताभिः साभिलाषमवेक्षितः प्रवृद्धो मन्मथस्तासां भविष्यति यदात्मनि //

Transliteration

anaṅgaśarataptābhiḥ sābhilāṣamavekṣitaḥ pravṛddho manmathastāsāṃ bhaviṣyati yadātmani //

Translation

Scorched by the arrows of the Bodiless One (Kāma) and gazed upon with longing, the passion of Manmatha will swell within their very selves.

Word by Word

• अनङ्ग (anaṅga): the Bodiless One, Kāma

• शर (śara): arrow

• तप्ताभिः (taptābhiḥ): scorched/burnt (by)

• साभिलाषम् (sābhilāṣam): with longing, desirously

• अवेक्षितः (avekṣitaḥ): looked at, regarded

• प्रवृद्धः (pravṛddhaḥ): greatly increased, intensified

• मन्मथः (manmathaḥ): Cupid, the churning-stirrer of the mind (desire)

• तासाम् (tāsām): of those women/they (feminine plural genitive)

• भविष्यति (bhaviṣyati): will become/will arise

• यत् (yat): which/that

• आत्मनि (ātmani): in the self, within (the mind/inner being)

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu (probable dialogue frame of the Matsya Purana)

Entities Mentioned

• Ananga (Kama)
• Manmatha

Tags

• Kama
• Ethics
• Mind
• Desire
• Puranic Psychology

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it explains how desire (Kāma/Manmatha) intensifies internally when one is inflamed by passion and met with a longing gaze.

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

It highlights the inner mechanism of temptation—desire grows through stimulation and reciprocal longing—implying that a king or householder should practice restraint (indriya-nigraha), avoid provoking situations, and govern the mind to protect dharma and social order.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vastu, temple-building, or ritual procedure is mentioned; the verse is psychological/ethical, focused on the arousal of Kāma.