Shloka 27

Matsya Purana — Rite of Donating the ‘Sugar Mountain’

Devanagari script

कृत्वा ताभ्याम् अशाठ्येन गुरुशुश्रूषणादिकम् सा च लीलावती वेश्याकालेन महतापि च //

Transliteration

kṛtvā tābhyām aśāṭhyena guruśuśrūṣaṇādikam sā ca līlāvatī veśyākālena mahatāpi ca //

Translation

Having performed with those two, without deceit, the duties beginning with sincere service to elders and teachers, she—Līlāvatī—also passed through a long span of life as a courtesan.

Word by Word

• कृत्वा: having done/performed

• ताभ्याम्: with those two (persons)

• अशाठ्येन: without deceit, with honesty

• गुरु-शुश्रूषण-आदिकम्: service to the guru/elders and related duties

• सा: she

• च: and/also

• लीलावती: (named) Līlāvatī

• वेश्या-कालेन: by/through the time (spent) as a courtesan

• महता अपि: even though great/long

• च: and

Speaker

• Suta (narrating the Purana’s didactic episode; speaker attribution inferred from common Matsya Purana frame-dialogue)

Entities Mentioned

• Līlāvatī
• guru (teacher/elder)

Tags

• Dharma
• Niti
• Social conduct
• Guru-seva
• Didactic narrative

FAQs

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

This verse does not address Pralaya; it focuses on ethical conduct—specifically sincere service (guruśuśrūṣā) and a biographical note about Līlāvatī’s life circumstance.

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

It highlights a core dharmic principle applicable to rulers and householders alike: duties should be performed without deceit (aśāṭhya), especially service and respect toward gurus/elders, which is treated as foundational to righteous life.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu/temple-architecture or specific ritual procedure is mentioned; the key takeaway is moral discipline—truthful conduct and guru-service as a valued religious duty.