Matsya Purana — The Strategy to Defeat Tāraka: Pārvatī’s Birth, Shloka 162

Devanagari script

परिच्छिन्ने ऽप्यसंदिग्धे मनः परिभवाश्रयम् तृष्णा मुष्णाति निष्णाता फललोभाश्रयाशुभा //

Transliteration

paricchinne 'pyasaṃdigdhe manaḥ paribhavāśrayam tṛṣṇā muṣṇāti niṣṇātā phalalobhāśrayāśubhā //

Translation

Even when the mind is well-defined and free from doubt, craving—skilled in deception—steals it away, making it a seat of humiliation, for it rests on the inauspicious greed for results.

Word by Word

• paricchinne: restrained/limited

• api: even

• asaṃdigdhe: free from doubt/certain

• manaḥ: the mind

• paribhava-āśrayam: a support/abode of humiliation/defeat

• tṛṣṇā: craving/thirst

• muṣṇāti: steals/robs

• niṣṇātā: expert/skilled

• phala-lobha-āśrayā: resting on greed for fruits/results

• aśubhā: inauspicious/harmful

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Tags

• Rajadharma
• Niti
• Trishna
• Lobha
• Mind-control

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss cosmic creation or Pralaya directly; it teaches an inner, ethical “dissolution” where craving can undo mental clarity and discipline.

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

It warns rulers and householders that attachment to outcomes (phala-lobha) corrupts judgment; dharmic action should be performed without being robbed by craving, which otherwise leads to disgrace and policy failure.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vastu/temple-architecture or ritual procedure is stated here; the significance is preparatory—self-mastery and freedom from result-greed are presented as essential disciplines before any dharmic governance or religious undertaking.