Shloka 9

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

Devanagari script

अस्त्वस्मिन्गहने कुञ्जे विशिष्टकुसुमा लता काचिदेवं रहो नीता रमणेन रिरंसुना //

Transliteration

astvasmingahane kuñje viśiṣṭakusumā latā kācidevaṃ raho nītā ramaṇena riraṃsunā //

Translation

In this dense woodland bower there was a certain creeper adorned with exquisite blossoms; thus, in secret, she was led away by her lover, who longed to delight in the pleasures of love.

Word by Word

• astu: let there be/indeed there was

• asmin: in this

• gahane: dense (forest)/thick

• kuñje: in a grove/bower

• viśiṣṭa: distinguished/excellent

• kusumā: having flowers/flowered

• latā: creeper/vine

• kācit: a certain (one)/some

• evaṃ: thus/in this manner

• rahaḥ: in secret/privately

• nītā: led/taken away

• ramaṇena: by the lover/beloved man

• riraṃsunā: desiring to sport/enjoy (love), wishing to take pleasure.

Speaker

• Suta (narratorial voice) describing an episode (speaker not explicitly marked in this single verse)

Tags

• Forest-grove
• Katha
• Romance
• Secrecy
• Poetic imagery

FAQs

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

Nothing directly—this verse is a poetic narrative image of a secret meeting in a forest grove, not a cosmological (Pralaya) teaching.

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

Indirectly, it frames themes of secrecy and desire; in the Matsya Purana’s ethical lens, such scenes often function as narrative context for later moral reflection on restraint (dama) and proper conduct (dharma).

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vastu or ritual rule is stated here; the verse uses natural ‘kuñja’ (bower/grove) imagery rather than temple architecture or prescribed rites.