Shloka 18

Matsya Purana — The Dialogue of Kacha and Devayani: Dharma

Devanagari script

*कच उवाच गुरुपुत्रीति कृत्वाहं प्रत्याख्यास्ये न दोषतः गुरुणा चाभ्यनुज्ञातः काममेव शपस्व माम् //

Transliteration

*kaca uvāca guruputrīti kṛtvāhaṃ pratyākhyāsye na doṣataḥ guruṇā cābhyanujñātaḥ kāmameva śapasva mām //

Translation

Kaca said: “Since you have addressed me as ‘the preceptor’s daughter,’ I shall refuse you without incurring fault; and having been permitted by the teacher, curse me as you please.”

Word by Word

• कच (kaca): Kaca

• उवाच (uvāca): said

• गुरुपुत्रीति (guru-putrīti): ‘(you are) the guru’s daughter’—as such/with that expression

• कृत्वा (kṛtvā): having made/considered

• अहम् (aham): I

• प्रत्याख्यास्ये (pratyākhyāsye): I will refuse/decline

• न (na): not

• दोषतः (doṣataḥ): from fault/blame/sin

• गुरुणा (guruṇā): by the teacher (Shukra)

• च (ca): and

• अभ्यनुज्ञातः (abhyanujñātaḥ): permitted/authorized

• कामम् एव (kāmam eva): as you wish/at your pleasure

• शपस्व (śapasva): curse (imperative)

• माम् (mām): me

Speaker

• Kaca

Entities Mentioned

• Kaca
• Guru (Shukra)

Tags

• Puranic dialogue
• Ethics
• Guru-disciple
• Vow
• Curse motif

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it focuses on personal dharma—how speech, social roles, and a guru’s permission determine what is considered ‘fault’ (doṣa) in a moral dilemma.

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

It reflects a broader dharma principle relevant to kings and householders: decisions should align with established roles and authorization—here, Kaca claims moral blamelessness because his refusal follows from being addressed within a protected familial/guru framework and because he has the teacher’s consent (anujñā).

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vastu or temple-ritual rule is stated here; the ritual-legal idea present is ‘anujñā’ (formal permission), a key concept in many rites where an authorized sanction prevents doṣa (ritual or ethical fault).