Shloka 34

Matsya Purana — Mahāgaurī’s Entry

Devanagari script

*शर्व उवाच निषिक्तमर्धं देव्यां मे शुक्रस्य शुकविग्रह लज्जया विरतिस्थायां त्वमर्धं पिब पावक //

Transliteration

*śarva uvāca niṣiktamardhaṃ devyāṃ me śukrasya śukavigraha lajjayā viratisthāyāṃ tvamardhaṃ piba pāvaka //

Translation

Śarva (Śiva) said: “O Fire (Pāvaka), half of my semen has already been discharged into the Goddess. Since she has stopped out of modesty, you drink the remaining half.”

Word by Word

• śarvaḥ: Śarva (Śiva)

• uvāca: said

• niṣiktam: discharged, poured forth

• ardham: half

• devyām: into/unto the Goddess

• me: my

• śukrasya: of semen/virile seed

• śukavigraha: O one embodied as (the carrier of) semen / O Śukra-formed one (address)

• lajjayā: out of modesty/shame

• virati-sthāyām: when she has paused/ceased (in that state of restraint)

• tvam: you

• ardham: the (other) half

• piba: drink

• pāvaka: O Pāvaka (Agni, Fire).

Speaker

• Śarva (Śiva)

Entities Mentioned

• Śarva (Śiva)
• Devī (the Goddess/consort)
• Pāvaka (Agni, Fire)
• Śukra (semen/seed)

Tags

• Śaiva myth
• Agni
• Divine seed
• Puranic narrative
• Ritual imagery

FAQs

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

This verse is not a Pralaya (cosmic dissolution) teaching; it belongs to a mythic causation motif where divine “seed” is transferred through Agni, often used in Purāṇas to explain the origin of extraordinary beings or events.

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

Directly it does not legislate rājadharma or gṛhastha-dharma; indirectly it reflects Purāṇic ethics of restraint (lajjā/virati) and the channeling of potent forces through a proper medium (Agni), a common moral-symbolic theme.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, Agni (Pāvaka) is portrayed as the purifier and carrier/receiver of offerings; the imagery aligns with yajña symbolism where Fire mediates transformation—though this specific verse does not give Vāstu or temple-building rules.