Shloka 61

Matsya Purana — The Burning of Tripura and Rudra’s Victory

Devanagari script

उवाच शतपत्त्राक्षी सास्राक्षीव कृताञ्जलिः हव्यवाहन भार्याहं परस्य परतापन धर्मसाक्षी त्रिलोकस्य न मां स्प्रष्टुमिहार्हसि //

Transliteration

uvāca śatapattrākṣī sāsrākṣīva kṛtāñjaliḥ havyavāhana bhāryāhaṃ parasya paratāpana dharmasākṣī trilokasya na māṃ spraṣṭumihārhasi //

Translation

The lotus-eyed lady spoke, her eyes brimming with tears and her hands joined in reverence: “I am the wife of Havyavāhana. O tormentor of foes, Dharma is the witness of the three worlds—therefore you are not fit to touch me here.”

Word by Word

• uvāca: said

• śatapattrākṣī: lotus-eyed woman

• sāsrākṣī iva: as if with tearful eyes

• kṛtāñjaliḥ: with folded hands

• havyavāhana-bhāryā: the wife of Havyavāhana

• aham: I

• parasya: of enemies/others

• paratāpana: scorcher/tormentor (of foes)

• dharma-sākṣī: Dharma as witness

• trilokasya: of the three worlds

• na: not

• mām: me

• spraṣṭum: to touch

• iha: here

• arhasi: you are entitled/fit (to do)

Speaker

• A lotus-eyed woman (Havyavāhana’s wife), speaking to a man addressed as ‘paratāpana’

Entities Mentioned

• Havyavāhana
• Dharma
• Triloka (three worlds)

Tags

• Dharma
• Stri-dharma
• Marital fidelity
• Ethics
• Consent

FAQs

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

This verse does not address Pralaya; it emphasizes moral law (Dharma) as an ever-present witness governing personal conduct.

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

It teaches restraint and respect for marital boundaries: a householder (and especially a ruler) must not violate another’s spouse, remembering that Dharma “witnesses” all actions and their consequences.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or temple-architecture rule is stated; the only ritual element is the gesture of kṛtāñjali (folded hands), signaling respectful, dharmic refusal.