Shloka 29

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

Devanagari script

ननर्त सलयं तत्र लक्ष्मीरूपेण चोर्वशी सा पुरूरवसं दृष्ट्वा नृत्यन्ती कामपीडिता //

Transliteration

nanarta salayaṃ tatra lakṣmīrūpeṇa corvaśī sā purūravasaṃ dṛṣṭvā nṛtyantī kāmapīḍitā //

Translation

There, Urvaśī danced with graceful charm, appearing in the form of Lakṣmī. Seeing Purūravas, she continued to dance, tormented by desire.

Word by Word

• ननर्त (nanarta): danced

• सलयम् (salayaṃ): gracefully, with charm/lilt

• तत्र (tatra): there

• लक्ष्मीरूपेण (lakṣmī-rūpeṇa): in the form/appearance of Lakṣmī

• च (ca): and

• उर्वशी (urvaśī): Urvaśī (the apsaras)

• सा (sā): she

• पुरूरवसम् (purūravasaṃ): Purūravas

• दृष्ट्वा (dṛṣṭvā): having seen

• नृत्यन्ती (nṛtyantī): dancing (while continuing to dance)

• कामपीडिता (kāma-pīḍitā): afflicted/tormented by desire

Speaker

• Sūta (narrator) recounting the episode within the Matsya Purana’s royal-legend stream

Entities Mentioned

• Urvaśī
• Lakṣmī
• Purūravas

Tags

• Apsaras
• Dynasties
• Royal Legends
• Kāma (Desire)
• Purūravas–Urvaśī

FAQs

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

This verse does not address Pralaya; it belongs to a royal-legend episode, focusing on human–celestial attraction and the motif of desire (kāma) rather than cosmological dissolution.

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

By portraying desire as a compelling force even for celestial beings, the verse indirectly underscores the need for restraint and discernment—qualities expected of kings and householders in Purāṇic ethics when faced with temptation and attachment.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu, temple-building, or ritual procedure is specified in this verse; its significance is narrative and psychological, emphasizing allure (Lakṣmī-rūpa) and desire (kāma-pīḍitā).