Shloka 34

Matsya Purana — Origin of Soma

Devanagari script

स याचयामास ततस्तु दैन्यात् सोमं स्वभार्यार्थमनङ्गतप्तः स याच्यमानो ऽपि ददौ न तारां बृहस्पतेस्तत्सुखपाशबद्धः //

Transliteration

sa yācayāmāsa tatastu dainyāt somaṃ svabhāryārthamanaṅgataptaḥ sa yācyamāno 'pi dadau na tārāṃ bṛhaspatestatsukhapāśabaddhaḥ //

Translation

Then, tormented by Kāma and reduced to helplessness, he begged Soma to recover his own wife. Yet Soma, though repeatedly entreated, did not return Tārā, for he was bound by the snare of the pleasure he took in her, despite Bṛhaspati’s rightful claim.

Word by Word

• स (sa): he

• याचयामास (yācayāmāsa): begged, implored

• ततः (tataḥ): then

• तु (tu): indeed

• दैन्यात् (dainyāt): out of misery/helplessness

• सोमम् (somam): Soma (the Moon-god)

• स्वभार्यार्थम् (svabhāryārtham): for the sake of his own wife

• अनङ्गतप्तः (anaṅga-taptaḥ): scorched/afflicted by Ananga (Kāma, the god of love)

• याच्यमानः (yācyamānaḥ): being begged/entreated

• अपि (api): even

• ददौ न (dadau na): did not give/return

• ताराम् (tārām): Tārā

• बृहस्पतेः (bṛhaspateḥ): of Bṛhaspati

• तत्सुखपाशबद्धः (tat-sukha-pāśa-baddhaḥ): bound by the noose/snare of that pleasure (attachment).

Speaker

• Narrator (Purāṇic narrator recounting the episode; traditionally Sūta-style narration)

Entities Mentioned

• Soma
• Tārā
• Bṛhaspati
• Ananga (Kāma)

Tags

• Puranic narrative
• Desire (Kāma)
• Marital ethics
• Conflict motif
• Moon-god Soma

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss pralaya or cosmology; it focuses on a moral-psychological theme—how desire (Kāma) and attachment can overpower judgment and lead to conflict.

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

It highlights a core dharma lesson relevant to householders and rulers alike: uncontrolled desire and clinging to pleasure can cause injustice and social disorder; restraint and honoring rightful relationships are implied ethical standards.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu/temple-building or ritual procedure is stated in this verse; its significance is ethical—warning against bondage to sensual pleasure (sukha-pāśa) that obstructs rightful conduct.