Shloka 26

Matsya Purana — Mahāgaurī’s Entry

Devanagari script

ग्रस्ते सहस्ररूपाणां तारारूपे प्रदर्शिते पार्वत्या चाथ निःशङ्कः शंकरो वाभवत्ततः //

Transliteration

graste sahasrarūpāṇāṃ tārārūpe pradarśite pārvatyā cātha niḥśaṅkaḥ śaṃkaro vābhavattataḥ //

Translation

When the multitude of manifold forms had been subdued, and the form of Tārā was shown by Pārvatī, then Śaṅkara became free from doubt and was reassured thereafter.

Word by Word

• ग्रस्ते (graste): when (they were) seized/subdued

• सहस्र-रूपाणाम् (sahasra-rūpāṇām): of the thousand forms / myriad forms

• तारा-रूपे (tārā-rūpe): in/with the form of Tārā

• प्रदर्शिते (pradarśite): having been shown/revealed

• पार्वत्या (pārvatyā): by Pārvatī

• च (ca): and

• अथ (atha): then

• निःशङ्कः (niḥśaṅkaḥ): free from doubt/fear, unhesitating

• शंकरः (śaṅkaraḥ): Śaṅkara (Śiva)

• वा (vā): indeed/then (emphatic/optional particle)

• अभवत् (abhavat): became

• ततः (tataḥ): thereafter/from that point

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) recounting the episode (likely within the Matsya Purana’s Shaiva narrative frame)

Entities Mentioned

• Parvati
• Shankara (Shiva)
• Tara (Tārā-rūpa)

Tags

• Shaiva legend
• Divine forms
• Parvati-Shiva
• Iconography
• Puranic narrative

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya; it focuses on a Shaiva narrative moment where Pārvatī reveals a specific divine form (Tārā-rūpa) that resolves Śiva’s doubt.

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

Indirectly, it models dharmic clarity: correct understanding dispels suspicion and restores steadiness (niḥśaṅkatā). For householders and rulers, it suggests verifying truth through proper revelation/evidence rather than acting from doubt.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or temple-building rule is stated directly; the ritual takeaway is iconographic—divine identity can be established through the proper manifestation (rūpa-pradarśana) of a deity’s form.