Shloka 1

Matsya Purana — Manifestation of Kauśikī

Devanagari script

*देव्युवाच मातरं मा परित्यज्य यस्मात्त्वं स्नेहविक्लवाम् विहितावसरः स्त्रीणां शंकरस्य रहोविधौ //

Transliteration

*devyuvāca mātaraṃ mā parityajya yasmāttvaṃ snehaviklavām vihitāvasaraḥ strīṇāṃ śaṃkarasya rahovidhau //

Translation

The Goddess said: “Do not abandon your mother, for you are overcome with affection. In Śaṅkara’s private rite, the proper occasion has been ordained for women.”

Word by Word

• devī uvāca: the Goddess said

• mātaram: the mother

• mā parityajya: do not abandon/leave

• yasmāt: because/since

• tvam: you

• sneha-viklavām: agitated/overwhelmed by affection

• vihita-avasaraḥ: the prescribed/proper occasion (has been set)

• strīṇām: for women

• śaṅkarasya: of Śaṅkara (Śiva)

• rahaḥ-vidhau: in the secret/private procedure/rite

Speaker

• Devī (the Goddess)

Entities Mentioned

• Devī
• Mātā (Mother)
• Śaṅkara (Śiva)

Tags

• Shaiva Ritual
• Stri-dharma
• Family Duty
• Secret Rite
• Matsya Purana Ethics

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya or cosmic creation; it focuses on dharma in a domestic–ritual setting, stressing familial duty and prescribed participation in a private Shaiva rite.

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

It reinforces a core dharmic duty relevant to householders (and by extension rulers as moral exemplars): do not forsake one’s mother, especially when emotions and obligations are involved, and follow prescribed social–ritual propriety.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual takeaway is about adhikāra (eligibility/appropriate occasion): in Śiva’s “private rite” (raho-vidhi), women have an ordained role or proper occasion—indicating regulated participation rather than an open, public procedure.