Matsya Purana — The Strategy to Defeat Tāraka: Pārvatī’s Birth, Shloka 143

Devanagari script

शरीरलक्षणानां तु विज्ञानाय तु कौतुकात् स्त्रीस्वभावाद्यद्दुहितुश् चिन्तां हृदि समुद्वहन् //

Transliteration

śarīralakṣaṇānāṃ tu vijñānāya tu kautukāt strīsvabhāvādyadduhituś cintāṃ hṛdi samudvahan //

Translation

Désireux, par curiosité, de connaître la science des marques du corps, et méditant sur la nature féminine et autres choses semblables, il portait en son cœur une inquiétude au sujet de sa fille.

Word by Word

• śarīra-lakṣaṇānām: of bodily characteristics/marks

• tu: indeed/and

• vijñānāya: for knowing/for understanding

• tu: and

• kautukāt: out of curiosity/interest

• strī-svabhāva-ādi: a woman’s nature and related matters

• yat: which/that

• duhituḥ: of (his) daughter

• cintām: worry/concern

• hṛdi: in (his) heart

• samudvahan: bearing/carrying (within himself)

Speaker

• Sūta (narrative voice summarizing the situation)

Entities Mentioned

• Duhitṛ (daughter)
• Strī-svabhāva (womanly nature)
• Śarīra-lakṣaṇa (bodily marks)

Tags

• Stri-dharma
• Grihastha
• Physiognomy
• Ethics
• Family duty

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss pralaya; it focuses on personal concern and the intent to understand bodily marks and feminine disposition in a social-ethical context.

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

It reflects the duty of a responsible guardian/householder to thoughtfully consider a daughter’s welfare, using discernment (knowledge of traits and conduct) rather than negligence.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu, temple-building, or ritual procedure is stated in this verse; the topic is physiognomic understanding and family concern.