Shloka 29

Matsya Purana — The Madana-Dvādaśī Vow and the Birth of the Maruts

Devanagari script

सुखार्थी कामरूपेण स्मरेदङ्गजमीश्वरम् एतच्छ्रुत्वा चकारासौ दितिः सर्वमशेषतः //

Transliteration

sukhārthī kāmarūpeṇa smaredaṅgajamīśvaram etacchrutvā cakārāsau ditiḥ sarvamaśeṣataḥ //

Translation

Seeking pleasure, she invoked the Lord of Love (Kāma), visualizing him in the form she desired; and having heard this instruction, Diti carried out everything in full, without omission.

Word by Word

• सुखार्थी: desiring pleasure/comfort

• कामरूपेण: in a wished-for form / by assuming the form of desire

• स्मरेत्: should remember/invoke/meditate upon

• अङ्गजम्: the body-born one (Kāma, born from the mind/heart—here used as a name of the Love-god)

• ईश्वरम्: the lord/master

• एतत्: this

• श्रुत्वा: having heard

• चकार: did/performed

• असौ: she (that one)

• दितिः: Diti

• सर्वम्: everything

• अशेषतः: entirely, without remainder/omission

Speaker

• Sūta (narrator) relaying the Purāṇic account (as part of the Matsya Purana’s dialogue framework)

Entities Mentioned

• Diti
• Kāma (Smara/Aṅgaja)

Tags

• Desire
• Austerity/Observance
• Boons
• Mythology
• Ethics

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya; it focuses on desire (kāma) and the efficacy of remembrance/invocation (smaraṇa) in achieving intended outcomes within a mythic narrative.

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

It implicitly cautions that actions driven chiefly by pleasure-seeking (sukhārthī) can shape one’s conduct and outcomes; for householders and rulers, the Matsya Purana’s broader ethic is to regulate kāma through dharma and disciplined observance rather than impulse.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or temple-architecture rule is stated here; the ritual takeaway is the Purāṇic emphasis on smaraṇa (focused remembrance) and precise performance “without omission” (aśeṣataḥ) when following a prescribed observance.