Shloka 15

Matsya Purana — The Episode of Madhu and Kaiṭabha: Gunas

Devanagari script

रजस्तमोमयावावाम् ऋषीणाम् अवलङ्घितौ छाद्यमानौ धर्मशीलौ दुस्तरौ सर्वदेहिनाम् //

Transliteration

rajastamomayāvāvām ṛṣīṇām avalaṅghitau chādyamānau dharmaśīlau dustarau sarvadehinām //

Translation

Made of rajas and tamas, these two are not to be overstepped even by seers; they veil those devoted to dharma and are hard to cross for all embodied beings.

Word by Word

• rajas-tamo-mayau: constituted of rajas and tamas

• āvām (āvām/āvāṃ): these two (a pair)

• ṛṣīṇām: even of the sages/seers

• avalaṅghitau: not leapt over, not transgressed

• chādyamānau: veiling, covering, obscuring

• dharma-śīlau: those whose nature is dharma / the dharma-practising

• dustarau: difficult to cross

• sarva-dehinām: for all embodied beings

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Rajas
• Tamas
• Rishis (Ṛṣis)
• Dharma

Tags

• Dharma
• Three Gunas
• Ethics
• Spiritual Obstacles
• Matsya Purana Teachings

FAQs

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

Indirectly, it highlights the cosmic-psychological forces (rajas and tamas) that bind embodied beings; such binding tendencies are part of the conditioned order that persists across cycles of creation and dissolution.

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

It warns that even dharma-oriented people can be ‘covered’ by passion and inertia; therefore a king or householder must govern the senses, avoid rash action (rajas) and negligence (tamas), and sustain disciplined conduct to protect dharma.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vastu or ritual rule is stated; the takeaway is preparatory—ritual and sacred works succeed when rajas-tamas are restrained through purity, steadiness, and attentive practice.