Shloka 40

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

Devanagari script

नमो नारायणायेति कामदेवात्मने नमः सर्वशान्त्यै नमः प्रीत्यै नमो रत्यै नम श्रियै //

Transliteration

namo nārāyaṇāyeti kāmadevātmane namaḥ sarvaśāntyai namaḥ prītyai namo ratyai nama śriyai //

Translation

“Salutations—‘Obeisance to Nārāyaṇa!’ Homage to Him whose very nature is Kāma (the divine power of desire). Salutations to universal Peace; salutations to Affection; salutations to Love; salutations to Śrī (Prosperity).”

Word by Word

• namo: salutations/obeisance

• nārāyaṇāya iti: 'to Nārāyaṇa'—thus (as the uttered formula)

• kāmadeva-ātmane: to Him whose essence/nature is Kāma (desire as a cosmic principle)

• namaḥ: homage

• sarva-śāntyai: to universal peace/calm

• prītyai: to affection/favor/pleased devotion

• ratyai: to love/delight/erotic joy

• śriyai: to Śrī—fortune, splendor, prosperity (Lakṣmī principle)

Speaker

• Vaivasvata Manu (as a devotional utterance within the Matsya–Manu dialogue context)

Entities Mentioned

• Narayana
• Kamadeva
• Shanti
• Priti
• Rati
• Shri (Lakshmi)

Tags

• Vishnu Stuti
• Mantra
• Bhakti
• Lakshmi
• Peace

FAQs

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

Indirectly, it frames Nārāyaṇa as the sustaining cosmic principle: peace (śānti), prosperity (śrī), and the motivating force of desire (kāma) are invoked as divine powers that uphold order even across cycles of creation and dissolution.

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

It presents a value-map for righteous life: the king/householder should cultivate śānti (social harmony), prīti (benevolence), regulated rati (lawful enjoyment within dharma), and śrī (well-earned prosperity), all anchored in devotion to Nārāyaṇa.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it functions as a stuti/mantra-style salutation suitable for japa or pūjā openings; while not a Vāstu rule itself, it aligns temple/ritual intent toward śānti and śrī—standard aims invoked before consecratory acts.