Shloka 38

Matsya Purana — Lineage of the Pitṛs

Devanagari script

देवकी मथुरायां तु पाताले परमेश्वरी चित्रकूटे तथा सीता विन्ध्ये विन्ध्याधिवासिनी //

Transliteration

devakī mathurāyāṃ tu pātāle parameśvarī citrakūṭe tathā sītā vindhye vindhyādhivāsinī //

Translation

In Mathurā she is known as Devakī; in Pātāla she is the Supreme Goddess, Parameśvarī. Likewise, at Citrakūṭa she is Sītā; and in the Vindhya range she abides as Vindhyavāsinī, the indwelling Lady of the Vindhyas.

Word by Word

• देवकी (devakī): Devakī (name/form of the Goddess)

• मथुरायाम् (mathurāyām): in Mathurā

• तु (tu): indeed/and

• पाताले (pātāle): in Pātāla (nether region)

• परमेश्वरी (parameśvarī): the Supreme Goddess, sovereign Lady

• चित्रकूटे (citrakūṭe): at Citrakūṭa

• तथा (tathā): likewise/also

• सीता (sītā): Sītā (name/form of the Goddess)

• विन्ध्ये (vindhye): in the Vindhya mountains/region

• विन्ध्याधिवासिनी (vindhyādhivāsinī): she who dwells in/ presides over the Vindhyas (Vindhyavāsinī).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in dialogue with Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Devakī
• Mathurā
• Pātāla
• Parameśvarī
• Citrakūṭa
• Sītā
• Vindhya
• Vindhyavāsinī

Tags

• Devi
• Tirtha
• Sacred Geography
• Shakti
• Regional Forms

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it presents sacred geography—how the one Supreme Goddess is recognized by different names and forms in different realms and regions.

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

Indirectly, it supports dharmic duty through tīrtha-yātrā and regional worship: a king or householder honors the Goddess according to local kṣetra-traditions, strengthening social-religious order and personal vow-based practice.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The verse implies kṣetra-based ritual practice: temples and shrines may enshrine the Goddess under the locally revealed name (e.g., Vindhyavāsinī in the Vindhyas), guiding icon naming, festival focus, and place-specific worship.