Shloka 19

Matsya Purana — Marks of Karma-yoga and the Five Great Daily Sacrifices

Devanagari script

गोभूहिरण्यवासोभिर् गन्धमाल्योदकेन च पूजयेद्ब्रह्मविष्ण्वर्करुद्रवस्वात्मकं शिवम् //

Transliteration

gobhūhiraṇyavāsobhir gandhamālyodakena ca pūjayedbrahmaviṣṇvarkarudravasvātmakaṃ śivam //

Translation

With gifts of cows, land, gold, and garments—and also with fragrance, garlands, and water—one should worship Śiva, who embodies Brahmā, Viṣṇu, the Sun, Rudra, and the Vasus.

Word by Word

• गो (go): cow

• भू (bhū): land/earth

• हिरण्य (hiraṇya): gold

• वासोभिः (vāsobhiḥ): with garments/cloths

• गन्ध (gandha): fragrance/perfume

• माल्य (mālya): garlands/wreaths

• उदकेन (udakena): with water (for offering/ablution)

• च (ca): and

• पूजयेत् (pūjayet): should worship/honour

• ब्रह्म (brahma): Brahmā

• विष्णु (viṣṇu): Viṣṇu

• अर्क (arka): the Sun (Sūrya)

• रुद्र (rudra): Rudra/Śiva in fierce aspect

• वसु (vasu): the Vasus (eight Vedic deities)

• आत्मकम् (ātmakaṃ): consisting of/whose essence is

• शिवम् (śivam): Śiva (the auspicious Lord).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Śiva
• Brahmā
• Viṣṇu
• Arka (Sūrya)
• Rudra
• Vasus

Tags

• Pūjā-vidhi
• Śiva-tattva
• Pañcadevatā
• Dāna (gifts)
• Iconography

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; it teaches a theological view of Śiva as a unified embodiment of major cosmic powers, implying a single divine basis behind functions like creation, preservation, and cosmic order.

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

It frames dharmic duty as supporting worship through both dāna (cows, land, gold, clothing) and simple upacāras (water, fragrance, garlands), guiding householders and rulers to uphold religion through generosity and regular ritual honour.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it lists key pūjā-upacāras and prestigious donations; it supports temple/household worship practice where bathing/offering water, adorning with garlands, and presenting valuables are standard components of formal devotion.