Shloka 39

Matsya Purana — Mahāgaurī’s Entry

Devanagari script

जगाम कौतुकाविष्टा तत्सरः कनकाम्बुजम् तत्र कृत्वा जलक्रीडां तदब्जकृतशेखरा //

Transliteration

jagāma kautukāviṣṭā tatsaraḥ kanakāmbujam tatra kṛtvā jalakrīḍāṃ tadabjakṛtaśekharā //

Translation

Filled with eager curiosity, she went to that lotus-lake where golden lotuses bloomed. There she sported in the water, and then adorned her hair with a crest made of those very lotus-flowers.

Word by Word

• जगाम: went

• कौतुक-आविष्टा: possessed/overcome by curiosity and delight

• तत्-सरः: that lake (sacred pool)

• कनक-अम्बुजम्: with golden lotuses / golden lotus(-filled)

• तत्र: there

• कृत्वा: having done

• जल-क्रीडाम्: water-play, bathing sport

• तत्-अब्ज-कृत-शेखरा: having a hair-ornament/crest made from those lotuses

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) describing the episode in a narrative register

Entities Mentioned

• Sacred lake (saras)
• Golden lotus (kanakāmbuja)

Tags

• Tirtha
• Sarovara
• Ritual Bathing
• Lotus Symbolism
• Puranic Narrative

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya; it focuses on a sacred-lake setting and auspicious water-sport, highlighting purity, delight, and the sanctity of waters rather than cosmic dissolution.

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

Indirectly, it reflects the Purāṇic value of śauca (purity) and auspicious conduct at sacred waters—ideas relevant to householders (bathing, adornment, and ritual cleanliness), though it does not lay down explicit royal duties here.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it foregrounds jalakrīḍā (water-immersion/bathing) in a lotus-lake—an auspicious act often associated with tirtha practice; architecturally, it implies the ideal of a well-formed sacred saras (tank/lake) used for purification, a theme that connects to later Matsya Purana water-reservoir and temple-tank discussions.