Shloka 31

Matsya Purana — Śiva–Pārvatī Quarrel and Pārvatī’s Resolve for Austerity to Attain Gaurī-hood

Devanagari script

एष स्त्रीलम्पटो देवो यातायां मय्यनन्तरम् द्वाररक्षा त्वया कार्या नित्यं रन्ध्रान्ववेक्षिणा //

Transliteration

eṣa strīlampaṭo devo yātāyāṃ mayyanantaram dvārarakṣā tvayā kāryā nityaṃ randhrānvavekṣiṇā //

Translation

“This god is lustful toward women. After I have departed on my journey, you must keep watch at the door—ever vigilant, scrutinizing every opening and loophole.”

Word by Word

• eṣaḥ: this

• strī-lampaṭaḥ: woman-crazed, lustful for women

• devaḥ: god, divine being (here used for a powerful being)

• yātāyām: when (I) have gone / on departure

• mayi: after me / when I (am gone)

• anantaram: immediately thereafter

• dvāra-rakṣā: guarding of the door/entrance

• tvayā: by you

• kāryā: must be done, should be performed

• nityam: always, constantly

• randhrān: openings, holes, weak points

• ava-vekṣiṇā: by one who watches closely, a vigilant observer.

Speaker

• A female speaker (likely a queen/household lady in the Yayati narrative context) instructing a gate-guard/attendant

Entities Mentioned

• Deva (unnamed)

Tags

• Yayati episode
• Household vigilance
• Protection
• Ethics
• Conduct

FAQs

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

Nothing directly—this verse is a narrative instruction about vigilance and guarding an entrance, not cosmology or pralaya.

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

It emphasizes constant vigilance and safeguarding the household—an applied dharma theme: preventing misconduct by controlling access and watching for “randhra” (weak points/loopholes).

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Architecturally, it highlights practical security: guarding the dvāra (main entrance) and monitoring all randhras (openings/weak spots), a principle that aligns with protective management of thresholds in domestic/estate spaces.