Shloka 39

Matsya Purana — Maya’s War-Counsel to the Danavas and the Moonlit Revels in Tripura

Devanagari script

अट्टाट्टहासेषु च चामरेषु प्रेङ्खासु चान्या मदलोलभावात् संदोलयन्ते कलसम्प्रहासाः प्रोवाच काञ्ची गुणसूक्ष्मनादा //

Transliteration

aṭṭāṭṭahāseṣu ca cāmareṣu preṅkhāsu cānyā madalolabhāvāt saṃdolayante kalasamprahāsāḥ provāca kāñcī guṇasūkṣmanādā //

Translation

Amid peals of loud laughter, with chamara fly-whisks waving, and with others swaying on swings in intoxicated, wavering playfulness, the women gently set the whole scene in motion with their delicate, tinkling laughter; and the jeweled girdle (kāñcī) seemed to ‘speak’ with a fine, subtle resonance from its strings.

Word by Word

• अट्टाट्टहासेषु: in loud peals of laughter

• च: and

• चामरेषु: with fly-whisks (chāmara) being waved

• प्रेङ्खासु: on swings

• च: and

• अन्याः: other women/others

• मदलोलभावात्: due to intoxicated, wavering playfulness

• संदोलयन्ते: they sway/rock/make (things) gently move

• कलसम्प्रहासाः: sweet, delicate, tinkling laughter (lit. ‘soft/pleasant laughter’)

• प्रोवाच: spoke/uttered (as if)

• काञ्ची: girdle/waist-belt

• गुणसूक्ष्मनादा: having a subtle sound from its strings/cords (guṇa = string/strand

Speaker

• Suta-like narrative voice (descriptive narration within Matsya Purana’s ongoing discourse; not a direct injunction)

Entities Mentioned

• Kāñcī (girdle)
• Cāmara (fly-whisk)
• Preṅkhā (swing)

Tags

• Alankara
• Courtly life
• Music
• Sensory imagery
• Purana narration

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya; it is an aesthetic scene-setting verse focused on festive movement, laughter, ornaments, and subtle sound.

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

Indirectly, it reflects the Purana’s portrayal of refined courtly culture—orderly celebration, music, and adornment—often used to illustrate prosperity (śrī), social refinement, and the ambiance of a well-governed realm.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or ritual rule is stated; however, references to swings (preṅkhā) and ceremonial attendants (cāmara) can be cross-read with ritual/aesthetic prescriptions in adjacent sections on decorum, festivals, and temple/court presentation.