Shloka 45

Matsya Purana — Tripura’s Prosperity

Devanagari script

संकुचन्ति भयाच्चैव मार्जाराणां यथाखुकः भार्यां गत्वा न शुध्यन्ति रहोवृत्तिषु निस्त्रपाः //

Transliteration

saṃkucanti bhayāccaiva mārjārāṇāṃ yathākhukaḥ bhāryāṃ gatvā na śudhyanti rahovṛttiṣu nistrapāḥ //

Translation

Out of fear they shrink back—like mice before cats. Even after going to their wives, the shameless are not purified, for their secret conduct remains base and unrestrained.

Word by Word

• saṃkucanti: shrink back, recoil

• bhayāt: out of fear

• ca eva: and indeed

• mārjārāṇām: of cats

• yathā: just as

• ākhukaḥ: a mouse

• bhāryām: to the wife

• gatvā: having gone/approached

• na: not

• śudhyanti: become purified/cleansed

• rahaḥ-vṛttiṣu: in secret acts/hidden conduct

• nistrapāḥ: shameless, devoid of modesty

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (instructing Vaivasvata Manu in dharma/nīti)

Entities Mentioned

• Matsya
• Manu

Tags

• Rajadharma
• Nīti
• Gṛhastha-dharma
• Sexual ethics
• Shame/Modesty

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it is a nīti-style moral observation on fear, hypocrisy, and impurity arising from shameless secret conduct.

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

It warns that merely maintaining the outward form of household life does not purify a person if one is shameless and indulges in hidden misconduct; a king (and householder) must cultivate restraint, modesty, and inner discipline, not just public respectability.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No vastu/temple-architecture rule is stated here; the verse instead emphasizes ethical purity and the danger of secret, unrestrained behavior.