Shloka 51

Matsya Purana — Bhīma-Dvādaśī

Devanagari script

अनुगम्य पदान्यष्टौ पुत्रभार्यासमन्वितः प्रीयतामत्र देवेशः केशवः क्लेशनाशनः //

Transliteration

anugamya padānyaṣṭau putrabhāryāsamanvitaḥ prīyatāmatra deveśaḥ keśavaḥ kleśanāśanaḥ //

Translation

Having followed eight steps, accompanied by his sons and wife, (he prays): “May the Lord of the gods—Keśava, the destroyer of afflictions—be pleased here.”

Word by Word

• anugamya: having followed/after proceeding

• padāni: steps/footsteps/paces

• aṣṭau: eight

• putra: sons

• bhāryā: wife

• samanvitaḥ: accompanied by/endowed with

• prīyatām: may (he) be pleased/propitiated

• atra: here/in this place

• deveśaḥ: Lord of the gods

• keśavaḥ: Keśava (Viṣṇu)

• kleśa-nāśanaḥ: destroyer of suffering/afflictions

Speaker

• Sūta (narrative voice), describing a ritual/devotional act (likely within the Matsya Purana’s dialogue frame)

Entities Mentioned

• Keśava (Vishnu)

Tags

• Bhakti
• Ritual
• Vishnu
• Mantra
• Punya

FAQs

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

This verse is not directly about pralaya; it emphasizes propitiating Viṣṇu (Keśava) as the remover of distress, a devotional posture often invoked for protection in any crisis.

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

It reflects the householder ethic of performing worship together with one’s family (sons and wife) and seeking divine grace—presenting domestic devotion as part of dharma.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The key ritual detail is “eight steps” (aṣṭau padāni), suggesting a prescribed manner of approach or circumambulation-like movement before offering prayer, highlighting procedural discipline in worship.