Shloka 36

Matsya Purana — Code of Conduct and Vow-Procedure for Courtesans

Devanagari script

नाभिं सौख्यसमुद्राय वामाय च तथोदरम् हृदयं हृदयेशाय स्तनावाह्लादकारिणे //

Transliteration

nābhiṃ saukhyasamudrāya vāmāya ca tathodaram hṛdayaṃ hṛdayeśāya stanāvāhlādakāriṇe //

Translation

I offer the navel to the Ocean of bliss; likewise the belly to the Beautiful One; the heart to the Lord of hearts; and the breasts to Her who brings delight.

Word by Word

• nābhim: the navel

• saukhya-samudrāya: to the ocean of happiness/bliss

• vāmāya: to the Beautiful One (a name/epithet of the Goddess)

• ca: and

• tathā: likewise

• udaram: the belly/abdomen

• hṛdayam: the heart

• hṛdaya-īśāya: to the Lord/Mistress of the heart (controller of hearts)

• stanau: the two breasts

• āhlāda-kāriṇe: to the one who causes joy/delight

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching a devotional/ritual formula to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Devi (Shakti)
• Lord Matsya
• Vaivasvata Manu

Tags

• Iconography
• Pratima Lakshana
• Mantra
• Devi Worship
• Ritual Consecration

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya; it functions as a ritualized attribution of divine powers to specific bodily features of the Goddess (a consecratory/praise formula).

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

It supports the king/householder duty of maintaining dharma through proper worship—using prescribed praises and consecrations in temple or household rites to cultivate prosperity, joy, and auspiciousness.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It reflects pratima-pratiṣṭhā logic: during installation/nyāsa-like worship, each limb is honored with a specific epithet, reinforcing correct iconographic focus and ritual completeness in temple practice.