Matsya Purana — The Strategy to Defeat Tāraka: Pārvatī’s Birth, Shloka 120

Devanagari script

तत्र द्वारे स विप्रेन्द्रश् चित्रवेत्रलताकुले वन्दितो हिमशैलेन निर्गतेन पुरो मुनिः //

Transliteration

tatra dvāre sa viprendraś citravetralatākule vandito himaśailena nirgatena puro muniḥ //

Translation

Dort am Tor wurde der Weise, der vornehmste der Brahmanen, ehrfürchtig geehrt; und vor ihm trat Himālaya, der Herr der schneebedeckten Berge, aus dem Eingang hervor, der dicht von wunderbaren Rohr- und Rankenpflanzen umwoben war.

Word by Word

• tatra: there

• dvāre: at the gate/doorway

• saḥ: he

• vipra-indraḥ: the best of Brahmins

• citra: variegated/wondrous

• vetra: cane/reed (rattan-like)

• latā: creeper/vine

• ākule: crowded/filled

• vanditaḥ: honored/revered

• himaśailena: by Himālaya (the snowy mountain, personified)

• nirgatena: having come out/emerged

• puraḥ: in front/ahead

• muniḥ: the sage.

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) describing the scene within the Matsya Purana’s ongoing discourse

Entities Mentioned

• Himālaya
• Muni
• Viprendra

Tags

• Vastu
• Dvara
• Sacred geography
• Ritual honor
• Puranic narrative

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe pralaya; it is a scene-setting passage focused on an auspicious gateway and the respectful reception of a sage, reflecting sacred space rather than cosmic dissolution.

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

It highlights the dharmic ethic of honoring eminent sages and guests (satkāra). For rulers and householders alike, proper reception at the threshold—greeting, reverence, and hospitality—is a hallmark of righteous conduct.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The verse emphasizes the dvāra (gateway) as a ritually charged threshold, described as richly adorned with vines—suggesting beautification and auspicious ornamentation of entrances, a theme aligned with Vastu-oriented descriptions in the Purana.