Shloka 164

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

Devanagari script

दुर्लभः सत्पतिः स्त्रीणां विगुणो ऽपि पतिः किल न प्राप्यते विना पुण्यैः पतिर्नार्या कदाचन //

Transliteration

durlabhaḥ satpatiḥ strīṇāṃ viguṇo 'pi patiḥ kila na prāpyate vinā puṇyaiḥ patirnāryā kadācana //

Translation

For women, a truly good husband is rare; indeed, even a husband with faults is not obtained without merit. A husband is never gained by a woman without the fruits of past virtuous deeds.

Word by Word

• durlabhaḥ: rare, hard to obtain

• sat-patiḥ: a virtuous/good husband

• strīṇām: of women

• viguṇaḥ api: even if defective/with faults

• patiḥ: husband

• kila: indeed, as is said

• na prāpyate: is not attained

• vinā: without

• puṇyaiḥ: by merits/virtuous deeds

• patiḥ nāryāḥ: a husband for a woman

• kadācana: ever/at any time

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu on dharma)

Tags

• Dharma
• Grihastha
• Marriage
• Karma
• Ethics

FAQs

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

Nothing directly—this verse is ethical (dharma) teaching about karma (puṇya) and the rarity of obtaining a suitable spouse, not about cosmic creation or pralaya.

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

It frames marriage and household life within karmic causality: a householder should cultivate puṇya through righteous conduct, charity, and restraint, recognizing that stable family order is supported by accumulated merit.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or temple-architecture rule is stated; the only ritual-ethical takeaway is the emphasis on puṇya (merit) as the basis for auspicious outcomes in worldly life.