Shloka 18

Matsya Purana — Genealogy from Budha to Purūravas and Yayāti; Raji’s war episode; the Paurava...

Devanagari script

जग्मतुस्तेन कामार्थाव् अतिकोपं नृपं प्रति अर्थः शापमदात्तस्मै लोभात्त्वं नाशमेष्यसि //

Transliteration

jagmatustena kāmārthāv atikopaṃ nṛpaṃ prati arthaḥ śāpamadāttasmai lobhāttvaṃ nāśameṣyasi //

Translation

Thus Kāma (Desire) and Artha (Wealth) went to the king, who was exceedingly wrathful. Then Artha pronounced a curse upon him: “Through greed, you shall meet destruction.”

Word by Word

• जग्मतुः (jagmatuḥ): the two went

• तेन (tena): thereby/then

• कामार्थौ (kāmārthau): Desire (Kāma) and Wealth (Artha)

• अतिकोपम् (atikopam): exceedingly angry, of excessive wrath

• नृपं प्रति (nṛpaṃ prati): toward the king

• अर्थः (arthaḥ): Wealth / Artha (personified)

• शापम् (śāpam): a curse

• अदात् (adāt): gave/uttered

• तस्मै (tasmai): to him

• लोभात् (lobhāt): due to greed

• त्वम् (tvam): you

• नाशम् (nāśam): ruin, destruction

• एष्यसि (eṣyasi): you will go/you will meet

Speaker

• Sūta (narrator) reporting a moral episode (personified Kāma and Artha addressing a king)

Entities Mentioned

• Kāma (Desire)
• Artha (Wealth)
• Nṛpa (King)
• Lobha (Greed)

Tags

• Rajadharma
• Niti
• Greed
• Kingship
• Curse

FAQs

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

This verse is not about cosmic pralaya; it teaches a moral “dissolution” at the human level—how greed (lobha) brings ruin (nāśa) to a ruler and his order.

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

It warns that a king (and likewise a householder) must restrain anger, desire, and greed; otherwise even wealth becomes a cause of downfall, undermining righteous governance and social stability.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu, temple-building, or ritual procedure is mentioned; the focus is ethical instruction (nīti) about managing wealth and desire.