Shloka 23

Matsya Purana — Bhīma-Dvādaśī

Devanagari script

वैकुण्ठायेति वैकुण्ठम् उरः श्रीवत्सधारिणे शङ्खिने चक्रिणे तद्वद् गदिने वरदाय वै सर्वे नारायणस्यैवं संपूज्या बाहवः क्रमात् //

Transliteration

vaikuṇṭhāyeti vaikuṇṭham uraḥ śrīvatsadhāriṇe śaṅkhine cakriṇe tadvad gadine varadāya vai sarve nārāyaṇasyaivaṃ saṃpūjyā bāhavaḥ kramāt //

Translation

Reciting “To Vaikuṇṭha,” one should worship Vaikuṇṭha (the Lord). Then one should worship the chest that bears the Śrīvatsa mark; likewise the arms bearing the conch and the discus, and similarly the mace and the boon‑granting hand. Thus, in due order, all the arms of Nārāyaṇa are to be fully worshipped.

Word by Word

• vaikuṇṭhāya iti: (with the mantra) ‘to Vaikuṇṭha’

• vaikuṇṭham: Vaikuṇṭha/Nārāyaṇa

• uraḥ: chest

• śrīvatsa-dhāriṇe: to the bearer of the Śrīvatsa mark

• śaṅkhine: to the conch-bearer

• cakriṇe: to the discus-bearer

• tadvad: likewise

• gadine: to the mace-bearer

• varadāya: to the giver of boons (boon-granting hand)

• vai: indeed

• sarve: all

• nārāyaṇasya: of Nārāyaṇa

• evaṃ: thus

• saṃpūjyāḥ: to be worshipped completely

• bāhavaḥ: arms/hands

• kramāt: in sequence

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Narayana
• Vaikuntha
• Shrivatsa
• Shankha
• Chakra
• Gada

Tags

• Iconography
• Puja Vidhi
• Vishnu
• Mantra
• Ayudha

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it teaches ritual iconography—how to worship Nārāyaṇa’s chest and arms (with Śrīvatsa and the divine weapons) in a prescribed sequence.

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

It reflects the householder/kingly duty of daily devotion and correct ritual performance: worshipping Viṣṇu with proper mantras and limb-by-limb reverence, which the Purāṇa treats as a source of merit, protection, and righteous governance.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it prescribes anga–ayudha worship: honoring Śrīvatsa on the chest and the conch, discus, mace, and boon-giving hand in order—guiding temple puja and icon-focused worship of Vaikuṇṭha/Nārāyaṇa.