Matsya Purana — Code of Conduct and Vow-Procedure for Courtesans, Shloka 5

Devanagari script

गच्छन्समीपमार्गेण साम्बः परपुरंजयः साक्षात्कन्दर्पो रूपेण सर्वाभरणभूषितः //

Transliteration

gacchansamīpamārgeṇa sāmbaḥ parapuraṃjayaḥ sākṣātkandarpo rūpeṇa sarvābharaṇabhūṣitaḥ //

Translation

அருகிலுள்ள பாதையில் சென்ற சாம்பன்—எதிரி நகரங்களை வென்றவன்—உருவத்தில் நேரே கந்தர்ப்பன் போலத் தோன்றினான்; எல்லா ஆபரணங்களாலும் அலங்கரிக்கப்பட்டிருந்தான்.

Word by Word

• गच्छन् (gacchan): going, proceeding

• समीप-मार्गेण (samīpa-mārgeṇa): by the nearby/adjacent path

• साम्बः (sāmbaḥ): Sāmba (a proper name)

• पर-पुरं-जयः (para-puraṃ-jayaḥ): conqueror of others’ cities/foes’ strongholds

• साक्षात् (sākṣāt): directly, as if in person

• कन्दर्पः (kandarpaḥ): Kandarpa, Kāma (god of love)

• रूपेण (rūpeṇa): in form/appearance

• सर्व-आभरण-भूषितः (sarvābharaṇa-bhūṣitaḥ): adorned with all ornaments.

Speaker

• Sūta (narrator), continuing the Matsya Purana’s narrative to the sages

Entities Mentioned

• Sāmba
• Kandarpa (Kāma)

Tags

• Puranic narrative
• Royal valor
• Beauty and ornamentation
• Genealogy episode
• Character description

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it is a narrative description highlighting Sāmba’s extraordinary beauty and splendor, comparing him to Kāma.

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

Indirectly, it frames Sāmba as a heroic “conqueror of enemy cities,” reflecting the kṣatriya ideal of valor and public stature, while also emphasizing royal decorum through dignified adornment.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No explicit Vāstu or ritual procedure is stated; the closest technical element is the motif of “all ornaments,” useful for iconographic/royal-portrait conventions rather than temple-building rules.