Shloka 10

Matsya Purana — Purūravas Witnesses the Sports of Apsarases and Gandharvas; Attains the Grace...

Devanagari script

कान्तसंनामितलता कुसुमानि विचिन्वती सर्वाभ्यः काचिदात्मानं मेने सर्वगुणाधिकम् //

Transliteration

kāntasaṃnāmitalatā kusumāni vicinvatī sarvābhyaḥ kācidātmānaṃ mene sarvaguṇādhikam //

Translation

While gathering flowers from a creeper bent down by her beloved, a certain woman considered herself superior to all others, endowed with virtues surpassing everyone.

Word by Word

• kānta: beloved, lover

• saṃnāmita: bent down, made to bow

• latā: creeper, vine

• kusumāni: flowers

• vicinvatī: gathering, selecting

• sarvābhyaḥ: than all (others), from all

• kācid: a certain (woman/person)

• ātmānam: herself

• mene: thought, considered

• sarva-guṇa-adhikam: exceeding in all qualities, superior in virtues

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) / Purāṇic narrative voice (contextual narration; not a direct speech of Matsya to Manu in this verse)

Tags

• Ethics
• Pride
• Human psychology
• Courtly narrative
• Matsya Purana teachings

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya or cosmology; it focuses on human self-assessment and pride in a narrative setting.

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

It cautions against māna (conceit): rulers and householders are advised to cultivate humility and avoid comparing themselves as inherently superior, which can lead to conflict and adharma.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu, iconographic, or ritual procedure is taught here; the imagery of flower-gathering functions as poetic context for an ethical point about pride.