Shloka 37

Matsya Purana — Procedure for Going to Prayaga and the Greatness of the Ganga

Devanagari script

ततः स्वर्गात्परिभ्रष्टः क्षीणकर्मा दिवश्च्युतः उर्वशीसदृशीनां तु कन्यानां लभते शतम् //

Transliteration

tataḥ svargātparibhraṣṭaḥ kṣīṇakarmā divaścyutaḥ urvaśīsadṛśīnāṃ tu kanyānāṃ labhate śatam //

Translation

Then, having fallen from heaven—his merit exhausted and cast down from the celestial realm—he obtains a hundred maidens resembling Urvaśī.

Word by Word

• ततः (tataḥ): then/thereafter

• स्वर्गात् (svargāt): from heaven

• परिभ्रष्टः (paribhraṣṭaḥ): fallen down, slipped from the state attained

• क्षीणकर्मा (kṣīṇakarmā): one whose meritorious karma has been spent/exhausted

• दिवः (divaḥ): from heaven, of the celestial world

• च्युतः (cyutaḥ): fallen, descended

• उर्वशीसदृशीनाम् (urvaśī-sadṛśīnām): of those resembling Urvaśī

• तु (tu): indeed/however

• कन्यानाम् (kanyānām): of maidens/young women

• लभते (labhate): obtains/attains

• शतम् (śatam): a hundred.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) speaking to Vaivasvata Manu (contextual karmaphala instruction)

Entities Mentioned

• Urvaśī
• Svarga (Heaven)

Tags

• Karmaphala
• Svarga
• Merit Exhaustion
• Rebirth
• Puranic Ethics

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss pralaya; it teaches karmaphala doctrine—heavenly enjoyment is temporary and ends when merit is exhausted, leading to descent and further experience in another realm or birth.

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

It underscores that pleasures gained by merit are impermanent; therefore a king or householder should pursue dharma and disciplined conduct rather than treating svarga as the final goal, cultivating lasting spiritual aims alongside righteous prosperity.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vastu or temple-architecture rule is stated here; the verse is focused on the fruit of karma—specifically the post-svarga outcome when accumulated merit runs out.