Shloka 37

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

Devanagari script

उत्कण्ठायेति वैकुण्ठम् आस्यमानन्दकारिणे वामाङ्गं पुष्पचापाय पुष्पबाणाय दक्षिणम् //

Transliteration

utkaṇṭhāyeti vaikuṇṭham āsyamānandakāriṇe vāmāṅgaṃ puṣpacāpāya puṣpabāṇāya dakṣiṇam //

Translation

For “Utkaṇṭhā” (yearning), one should assign Vaikuṇṭha; for “Āsya” (the mouth), the giver of bliss. The left side is to be given to the Flower-bow, and the right to the Flower-arrow.

Word by Word

• utkaṇṭhāyā iti: for (the deity/force named) Utkaṇṭhā, longing

• vaikuṇṭham: Vaikuṇṭha (Vishnu’s supreme abode / the Vaikuṇṭha aspect)

• āsya: mouth/face

• ānanda-kāriṇe: to the maker of bliss, bestower of joy

• vāma-aṅgam: the left limb/left side

• puṣpa-cāpāya: to the one with the flower-bow (Kāma/Madanā, or the floral bow attribute)

• puṣpa-bāṇāya: to the one with flower-arrows (Kāma’s arrows / floral arrow attribute)

• dakṣiṇam: the right (side/limb).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu on iconographic/ritual assignment)

Entities Mentioned

• Vaikuṇṭha
• Utkaṇṭhā
• Ānandakāri (bliss-bestower)
• Puṣpacāpa (flower-bow)
• Puṣpabāṇa (flower-arrow)

Tags

• Iconography
• Pratima Lakshana
• Murti Vidhi
• Ritual Nyasa
• Temple Art

FAQs

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

This verse does not address Pralaya directly; it belongs to iconographic instruction, mapping abstract states and attributes (like longing and bliss) to specific divine aspects and to left/right placement in an image.

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

It supports dharma through correct worship: a king or householder commissioning an image or conducting consecration should follow prescribed iconographic placements so that devotion, ritual efficacy, and temple order align with śāstric norms.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It is a pratima-nyāsa guideline: specific attributes (flower-bow and flower-arrow) are assigned to the left and right sides, guiding sculptors and priests in correct visual theology during temple image-making and installation.