Shloka 99

Matsya Purana — Solar–Lunar Motions

Devanagari script

भूतारम्भकृतं कर्म आशिषश्च विशां पते प्रारभन्ते लोककामास् तेषां पन्थाः स दक्षिणः //

Transliteration

bhūtārambhakṛtaṃ karma āśiṣaśca viśāṃ pate prārabhante lokakāmās teṣāṃ panthāḥ sa dakṣiṇaḥ //

Translation

O lord of the people, actions undertaken with involvement in worldly beings and the pursuit of blessings (āśīṣ) set worldly desires in motion; the course they follow is the southern path.

Word by Word

• bhūta-ārambha-kṛtam: done by initiating/engaging with embodied beings (worldly activity)

• karma: action, deed

• āśiṣaḥ: blessings, benedictions (desired boons)

• ca: and

• viśām pate: O lord of the subjects/people (O king)

• prārabhante: begin, are set in motion

• loka-kāmāḥ: worldly desires/aims

• teṣām: of them

• panthāḥ: path, course

• saḥ: that

• dakṣiṇaḥ: southern (the ‘dakṣiṇa-mārga’, associated with return/ancestral route in karmic cosmology).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, addressing him as king)

Entities Mentioned

• Vaivasvata Manu
• Lord Matsya

Tags

• Karma
• Rajadharma
• Karmaphala
• Dakshinayana
• Worldly desires

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; it explains karmic causation—how worldly, desire-driven actions generate continuing trajectories (the ‘southern path’) rather than liberation.

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

It cautions that actions pursued for boons and worldly outcomes fuel lokakāma (worldly desire). A king/householder should govern and act with dharma, knowing that desire-driven rites and rewards bind one to cyclical results.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu rule is stated, but the verse reflects ritual logic: actions and ‘āśiṣ’ (sought blessings/boons) propel karmic results—useful when interpreting why certain rites are prescribed for worldly aims rather than mokṣa.