Shloka 31

Matsya Purana — Origin of Soma

Devanagari script

सापि स्मरार्ता सह तेन रेमे तद्रूपकान्त्या हृतमानसेन चिरं विहृत्याथ जगाम तारां विधुर्गृहीत्वा स्वगृहं ततो ऽपि //

Transliteration

sāpi smarārtā saha tena reme tadrūpakāntyā hṛtamānasena ciraṃ vihṛtyātha jagāma tārāṃ vidhurgṛhītvā svagṛhaṃ tato 'pi //

Translation

She too, tormented by love, delighted with him, her mind captivated by his beauty and radiance. After sporting together for a long time, Vidhū/Chandra (the Moon), taking Tārā with him, went again to his own abode.

Word by Word

• सा अपि (sā api): she also

• स्मर-आर्ता (smara-ārtā): afflicted/tormented by desire (Kāma)

• सह तेन (saha tena): together with him

• रेमे (reme): rejoiced, enjoyed, took pleasure

• तत्-रूप-कान्त्या (tad-rūpa-kāntyā): by his form and beauty/lustre

• हृत-मानसेन (hṛta-mānasena): with (her) mind carried away/captivated

• चिरम् (ciram): for a long time

• विहृत्य (vihṛtya): having sported/played, having enjoyed

• अथ (atha): then

• जगाम (jagāma): went

• ताराम् (tārām): Tārā

• विधुः (vidhuḥ): the Moon, Chandra

• गृहीत्वा (gṛhītvā): having taken (with him)

• स्व-गृहम् (sva-gṛham): to his own house/abode

• ततः अपि (tataḥ api): thereafter/again.

Speaker

• Sūta (narrator) recounting the episode within the Purāṇic narration

Entities Mentioned

• Tārā
• Vidhु (Chandra/Soma)
• Smara (Kāma)

Tags

• Lunar Dynasty
• Puranic Romance
• Chandra
• Genealogy Prelude
• Narrative Episode

FAQs

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

This verse does not address Pralaya; it is part of a mythic-royal narrative (Soma–Tārā), used in the Purāṇa to connect events to dynastic and genealogical developments rather than cosmic dissolution.

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

Indirectly, it illustrates how overpowering desire can lead to transgressive unions and social disorder—an ethical backdrop the Purāṇas often use to contrast with dharma-based household conduct (self-restraint, fidelity, and respect for rightful marital bonds).

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu, temple-building, or ritual procedure is stated in this verse; its focus is narrative—Chandra taking Tārā to his own abode after prolonged enjoyment.