Matsya Purana — The Tale of Brahmadatta: Past-life Memory, Shloka 30

Devanagari script

कामशास्त्रप्रणेता च बाभ्रव्यस्तु सुबालकः पाञ्चाल इति लोकेषु विश्रुतः सर्वशास्त्रवित् //

Transliteration

kāmaśāstrapraṇetā ca bābhravyastu subālakaḥ pāñcāla iti lokeṣu viśrutaḥ sarvaśāstravit //

Translation

Et Bābhravya—également nommé Subālaka—fut le compositeur du Kāmaśāstra ; dans le monde il était renommé sous le nom de « Pāñcāla » et connaissait toutes les disciplines du savoir.

Word by Word

• kāmaśāstra-praṇetā: composer/propounder of the treatise on kāma (erotics and refined life)

• ca: and

• bābhravyaḥ: (the sage) Bābhravya

• tu: indeed

• subālakaḥ: Subālaka (a name/epithet)

• pāñcālaḥ: Pāñcāla (name/title associated with the Pañcāla region)

• iti: thus/so called

• lokeṣu: among the people/in the world

• viśrutaḥ: renowned, widely celebrated

• sarva-śāstra-vit: knower of all śāstras (disciplines).

Speaker

• Sūta (narrator) recounting traditional authorities within the Matsya Purana’s discourse

Entities Mentioned

• Bābhravya
• Subālaka
• Pāñcāla
• Kāmaśāstra

Tags

• Kama Shastra
• Rishis
• Shastra lineage
• Ancient Indian learning
• Purana tradition

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya; it records a scholarly lineage, identifying Bābhravya (Subālaka/Pāñcāla) as an authoritative composer of Kāmaśāstra.

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

By presenting Kāmaśāstra as a recognized śāstra, the verse implies that household life includes disciplined knowledge of kāma (refined conduct, relationships, and social arts) integrated with broader learning—useful for householders and for kings governing cultured society.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or ritual rule is stated; the verse’s significance is classificatory—affirming that multiple śāstras (including Kāmaśāstra) were systematized by named authorities.