Shloka 37

Matsya Purana — Catalogue of the Eighteen Puranas

Devanagari script

यत्राग्निलिङ्गमध्यस्थः प्राह देवो महेश्वरः धर्मार्थकाममोक्षार्थम् आग्नेयमधिकृत्य च //

Transliteration

yatrāgniliṅgamadhyasthaḥ prāha devo maheśvaraḥ dharmārthakāmamokṣārtham āgneyamadhikṛtya ca //

Translation

There, seated in the midst of the Agni-liṅga, the Lord Maheśvara spoke—taking up the Agneya (fire-related) doctrine or rite—so that it may lead to dharma, artha, kāma, and mokṣa.

Word by Word

• yatra: where/there

• agni-liṅga: the fire-linga (a linga associated with Agni/fire)

• madhya-sthaḥ: situated in the middle/center

• prāha: said/spoke

• devaḥ: the god

• maheśvaraḥ: Maheshvara (Śiva)

• dharma-artha-kāma-mokṣa-artham: for the sake of dharma, prosperity, desire/fulfilment, and liberation

• āgneyam: the Agneya teaching/rite, fire-related (also ‘belonging to Agni’)

• adhikṛtya: having taken up as the subject/making it the topic

• ca: and/also.

Speaker

• Narratorial voice introducing Maheshvara’s discourse (Maheshvara is the teacher being referenced).

Entities Mentioned

• Maheshvara (Shiva)
• Agni
• Agni-linga

Tags

• Agni-linga
• Shaiva teaching
• Ritual focus
• Purusharthas
• Dharma

FAQs

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

This verse does not directly address pralaya; it frames a fire-centered (Agneya) Śaiva teaching as a complete path to the four puruṣārthas, emphasizing ritual and doctrine rather than cosmic dissolution.

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

By stating that the Agneya Śaiva teaching yields dharma, artha, kāma, and mokṣa, the verse implies that disciplined worship/ritual can support household prosperity and ethical life (dharma–artha–kāma) while keeping liberation (mokṣa) as the highest aim.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The phrase “in the midst of the Agni-linga” highlights a ritual focal point: the linga associated with fire and an Agneya (fire-oriented) procedure/teaching—useful for interpreting temple/altar centrality and fire-direction symbolism in Puranic ritual settings.