Shloka 64

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

Devanagari script

*श्रीभगवानुवाच तपोधनः सो ऽप्यभिधाय चैवं तदा च तासां व्रतमङ्गनानाम् स्वस्थानमेष्यत्यनु ताः समस्तं व्रतं करिष्यन्ति च देवयानैः //

Transliteration

*śrībhagavānuvāca tapodhanaḥ so 'pyabhidhāya caivaṃ tadā ca tāsāṃ vratamaṅganānām svasthānameṣyatyanu tāḥ samastaṃ vrataṃ kariṣyanti ca devayānaiḥ //

Translation

The Blessed Lord said: “That ascetic sage, having thus instructed them, will then return to his own abode. Following him, those women will duly complete the entire vow (vrata), and they will proceed by the divine path (devayāna).”

Word by Word

• śrī-bhagavān uvāca: the Blessed Lord said

• tapodhanaḥ: the wealth-rich in austerity, an ascetic sage

• saḥ api: he also

• abhidhāya: having spoken/instructed

• ca evaṃ: thus indeed

• tadā: then

• ca: and

• tāsām: of those (women)

• vratam: vow/observance

• aṅganānām: of women

• svasthānam: to his own place/abode

• eṣyati: will go/return

• anu: following/after

• tāḥ: they (those women)

• samastam: entire/complete

• vratam: vow

• kariṣyanti: will perform/complete

• ca: and

• devayānaiḥ: by the devayāna, the ‘path of the gods’ (auspicious post-mortem or divine course).

Speaker

• Śrī Bhagavān (Lord Matsya / Vishnu as narrator in the dialogue)

Entities Mentioned

• Śrī Bhagavān
• Tapodhana (ascetic sage)
• Aṅganāḥ (women observing the vow)
• Devayāna

Tags

• Vrata
• Ritual Dharma
• Women’s Observances
• Phala-śruti
• Devayāna

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss pralaya; it focuses on vrata-dharma and the resulting auspicious “devayāna” trajectory, implying spiritual elevation rather than cosmic dissolution.

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

It reinforces dharmic discipline through properly instructed vow-observance: householders (and rulers who uphold dharma) are to support and follow authorized guidance so that rites are completed in full and yield meritorious outcomes.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual rather than architectural: the verse highlights correct transmission of vrata procedure by an ascetic authority and completion of the vow, culminating in the merit associated with devayāna.