Shloka 42

Matsya Purana — Mahāgaurī’s Entry

Devanagari script

हर्षादुवाच पश्यामि पद्मपत्रे स्थितं पयः ततस्ता ऊचुरखिलं कृत्तिका हिमशैलजाम् //

Transliteration

harṣāduvāca paśyāmi padmapatre sthitaṃ payaḥ tatastā ūcurakhilaṃ kṛttikā himaśailajām //

Translation

Harṣa said, “I see milk resting upon a lotus-leaf.” Then the Kṛttikās told in full (the account concerning) the daughter of the snowy mountain (Himālaya).

Word by Word

• harṣāt: with joy/in delight

• uvāca: said

• paśyāmi: I see

• padma-patre: on a lotus-leaf

• sthitam: placed/resting

• payaḥ: milk

• tataḥ: then/thereupon

• tāḥ: those (women), i.e., the Kṛttikās

• ūcuḥ: said/told

• akhilam: entirely, in full

• kṛttikāḥ: the Kṛttikā maidens (Pleiades)

• hima-śaila-jām: born of the snowy mountain, the हिमशैलजा (daughter of Himālaya)

Speaker

• Harṣa (followed by the Kṛttikās narrating)

Entities Mentioned

• Kṛttikā (Pleiades)
• Himālaya (Himaśaila)
• Himaśailajā (daughter of Himālaya)
• Padma (lotus)
• Payaḥ (milk)

Tags

• Sacred geography
• Nakshatra lore
• Puranic narrative
• Adbhuta (marvel sign)
• Ritual symbolism

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya directly; it presents an auspicious marvel (milk remaining on a lotus-leaf) that cues a sacred narrative, typical of Purāṇic storytelling rather than cosmic dissolution doctrine.

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

Indirectly, it models dharmic attentiveness: observing signs with reverence and then listening to authoritative narration (here, the Kṛttikās). For householders and rulers, it implies honoring sacred accounts and maintaining ritual purity (milk/lotus imagery).

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, milk (payaḥ) and lotus (padma) are purity symbols used in worship and consecration; the image of milk resting on a lotus-leaf suggests auspiciousness and sanctity—useful for interpreting temple-offering symbolism, though no explicit Vāstu rule is stated.