Shloka 10

Matsya Purana — Prayaga Mahatmya: Trimurti Presence

Devanagari script

माहेश्वरो वटो भूत्वा तिष्ठते परमेश्वरः ततो देवाः सगन्धर्वाः सिद्धाश्च परमर्षयः रक्षन्ति मण्डलं नित्यं पापकर्मनिवारणात् //

Transliteration

māheśvaro vaṭo bhūtvā tiṣṭhate parameśvaraḥ tato devāḥ sagandharvāḥ siddhāśca paramarṣayaḥ rakṣanti maṇḍalaṃ nityaṃ pāpakarmanivāraṇāt //

Translation

Having become the Maheśvara-vaṭa (Śiva’s sacred banyan), the Supreme Lord abides there. Therefore the gods, together with the Gandharvas, the Siddhas, and the great seers, continually protect that holy maṇḍala, for it averts sinful deeds.

Word by Word

• माहेश्वरः: pertaining to Maheśvara/Śiva

• वटः: banyan tree

• भूत्वा: having become

• तिष्ठते: stands/abides

• परमेश्वरः: the Supreme Lord

• ततः: therefore/thereupon

• देवाः: the gods

• सगन्धर्वाः: along with the Gandharvas

• सिद्धाः: Siddhas (perfected beings)

• च: and

• परमर्षयः: great seers

• रक्षन्ति: protect/guard

• मण्डलम्: sacred circle/precinct/ritual zone

• नित्यम्: always/continually

• पापकर्मनिवारणात्: because of the removal/warding off of sinful actions (as its effect).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) addressing Vaivasvata Manu (contextual attribution within the Matsya Purana’s dialogue frame)

Entities Mentioned

• Parameśvara
• Maheśvara (Śiva)
• Vaṭa (banyan)
• Devas
• Gandharvas
• Siddhas
• Paramarṣis
• Maṇḍala

Tags

• Tirtha
• Shiva
• Sacred Geography
• Ritual Mandala
• Punya-Kshetra
• Sin-Removal

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; it emphasizes a sacred, stabilized divine presence (Parameśvara as the Maheśvara-vaṭa) and the ongoing protection of a holy maṇḍala that removes sin.

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

It supports dharmic conduct by highlighting that association with protected sacred precincts (maṇḍala/kshetra) and reverence for such sites aids pāpa-nivṛtti; rulers and householders are thereby encouraged to protect temples/tīrthas and uphold ritual purity.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The key term is maṇḍala—understood as a consecrated ritual/temple precinct or protective sacred circle—whose sanctity is guarded by divine beings; this aligns with Puranic-Vāstu ideas of maintaining a pure, ritually defended sacred zone.