Shloka 29

Matsya Purana — Rite of Donating the ‘Sugar Mountain’

Devanagari script

यो ऽसौ सुवर्णकारस्तु दरिद्रो ऽप्यतिसत्त्ववान् न मौल्यमादाद्वेश्यातः स भवानिह साम्प्रतम् //

Transliteration

yo 'sau suvarṇakārastu daridro 'pyatisattvavān na maulyamādādveśyātaḥ sa bhavāniha sāmpratam //

Translation

That goldsmith—though poor—was exceedingly virtuous; he took no payment from the courtesan. You are that very man here now.

Word by Word

• yaḥ: who

• asau: that (well-known/previously mentioned)

• suvarṇakāraḥ: goldsmith

• tu: indeed

• daridraḥ: poor

• api: even though

• ati-sattvavān: possessed of great virtue/nobility

• na: not

• maulyam: price, fee, payment

• ādāt: took/accepted

• veśyātaḥ: from a veśyā (courtesan/prostitute)

• saḥ: he

• bhavān: you (honorific)

• iha: here

• sāmpratam: now, at present.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) speaking to Vaivasvata Manu (contextual attribution within the Matsya–Manu dialogue framework)

Entities Mentioned

• suvarṇakāra (goldsmith)
• veśyā (courtesan)

Tags

• Dharma
• Ethics
• Karma
• Integrity
• Social conduct

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it highlights moral causality—how integrity (refusing improper gain) becomes a defining karmic marker recognized across lives.

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

It underscores the dharma of honest livelihood and incorruptibility: even in hardship one should not accept tainted or morally compromising payment—an ethic equally binding for rulers (avoiding bribery) and householders (right conduct).

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or ritual procedure is stated here; the relevance is ethical—purity of conduct and refusal of unethical remuneration, which in broader Purāṇic practice supports the ideal of śuddhi (moral purity) behind all rites.