Shloka 42

Matsya Purana — Catalogue of the Eighteen Puranas

Devanagari script

यत्र माहेश्वरान्धर्मान् अधिकृत्य च षण्मुखः कल्पे तत्पुरुषं वृत्तं चरितैरुपबृंहितम् //

Transliteration

yatra māheśvarāndharmān adhikṛtya ca ṣaṇmukhaḥ kalpe tatpuruṣaṃ vṛttaṃ caritairupabṛṃhitam //

Translation

There, taking up the sacred observances of Maheśvara (Śiva) as his theme, Ṣaṇmukha (Skanda) in that kalpa expounded the account of Tatpuruṣa, enriching it with (illustrative) deeds and episodes.

Word by Word

• yatra: where/therein

• māheśvarān: belonging to Maheśvara (Śiva)

• dharmān: dharmas, religious observances, sacred duties

• adhikṛtya: having undertaken as the subject, having taken as the basis

• ca: and

• ṣaṇmukhaḥ: the Six-faced one (Skanda/Kārttikeya)

• kalpe: in (a) kalpa, in a cosmic aeon/era

• tatpuruṣam: Tatpuruṣa (a specific ‘Person’/aspect-name, also a Śaiva designation)

• vṛttam: account, narrative, occurrence, history

• caritaiḥ: by deeds, exploits, exemplary episodes

• upabṛṃhitam: expanded, enriched, amplified.

Speaker

• Sūta (narrative voice) reporting a traditional account within the Matsya Purana

Entities Mentioned

• Maheśvara (Śiva)
• Ṣaṇmukha (Skanda/Kārttikeya)
• Tatpuruṣa
• Kalpa

Tags

• Shaiva Dharma
• Skanda
• Kalpa
• Puranic Narrative
• Matsya Purana Vastu Context

FAQs

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

It does not directly describe pralaya; it situates a teaching within a specific kalpa, implying the Purana’s method of anchoring doctrines in cosmic time-cycles.

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

By foregrounding “Māheśvara dharmas,” it signals that proper conduct and observances (vratas, worship, discipline) are authoritative sources for dharmic living applicable to rulers and householders alike.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The verse points to Śaiva ritual-dharma as the doctrinal frame; in Matsya Purana this often undergirds temple/installation practice, where correct Śaiva observance legitimizes icon, shrine, and consecration procedures.