Shloka 29

Matsya Purana — The Kauśika Descendants: Śrāddha

Devanagari script

पिपीलिकामनुनयन् परितः कीटकामुकः पञ्चबाणाभितप्ताङ्गः सगद्गदमुवाच ह //

Transliteration

pipīlikāmanunayan paritaḥ kīṭakāmukaḥ pañcabāṇābhitaptāṅgaḥ sagadgadamuvāca ha //

Translation

Soothing the little ant as it wandered about, that insect-like lover—his limbs scorched by Kāma’s five arrows—spoke with a trembling voice, choked by emotion.

Word by Word

• पिपीलिकाम्: an ant

• अनुनयन्: conciliating, soothing, coaxing

• परितः: all around, on every side

• कीटकामुकः: an insect-like lover / a lover among insects (metaphor for smallness and helpless desire)

• पञ्चबाण: the five arrows (of Kāma, the god of love)

• अभितप्ताङ्गः: whose body/limbs are scorched, tormented

• स-गद्गदम्: with a faltering, stammering (choked) voice

• उवाच: said, spoke

• ह: indeed/it is said (narrative particle).

Speaker

• Narrator (Purāṇic storyteller voice; dialogue frame not explicit in this single verse)

Entities Mentioned

• Kāma (Pañcabāṇa)

Tags

• Kama
• Puranic narrative
• Love-torment
• Poetic metaphor
• Matsya Purana episodes

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it is a narrative-poetic moment describing the torment of desire (Kāma) and an emotional speech.

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

Indirectly, it reflects the Purāṇic ethical theme of mastering passion: intense desire is portrayed as a burning affliction, implying the need for restraint and clarity of mind in household or royal life.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu, temple-building, or ritual procedure is mentioned; the technical focus here is poetic imagery (Kāma’s five arrows) rather than architecture or rites.