Shloka 60

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

Devanagari script

एतद्धि कथितं सम्यग् भवतीनां विशेषतः अधर्मो ऽयं ततो न स्याद् वेश्यानामिह सर्वदा //

Transliteration

etaddhi kathitaṃ samyag bhavatīnāṃ viśeṣataḥ adharmo 'yaṃ tato na syād veśyānāmiha sarvadā //

Translation

This has been explained correctly, especially with reference to you. Therefore, for the courtesans (veśyā) here, this should not be regarded as adharma—unrighteousness—at any time.

Word by Word

• etad: this

• hi: indeed

• kathitam: has been told/explained

• samyak: properly, correctly

• bhavatīnām: of you (honorific, feminine plural)

• viśeṣataḥ: especially, in particular

• adharmaḥ: unrighteousness, sin

• ayam: this

• tataḥ: therefore, hence

• na syāt: should not be, is not

• veśyānām: of courtesans/prostitutes

• iha: here, in this world/this context

• sarvadā: always, at all times

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (instructor voice within Matsya Purana’s dharma discourse)

Entities Mentioned

• Matsya
• Veśyā (courtesans)

Tags

• Dharma
• Social Ethics
• Rajadharma
• Conduct Rules
• Matsya Purana

FAQs

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

Nothing directly—this verse is ethical and social in focus, classifying an action as not adharma for veśyās within a specified context.

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

It reflects a Rajadharma-style principle: governance and moral judgment must consider role-based duties (svadharma) and social categories, rather than applying a single standard uniformly.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

None is stated; the verse concerns moral evaluation and social conduct, not Vāstu, temple-building, or ritual procedure.