Shloka 4

Matsya Purana — Rasakalyāṇinī Vrata: Magha-based Goddess Worship

Devanagari script

ललितायै नमो देव्याः पादौ गुल्फौ ततो ऽर्चयेत् जङ्घां जानुं तथा शान्त्यै तथैवोरुं श्रियै नमः //

Transliteration

lalitāyai namo devyāḥ pādau gulphau tato 'rcayet jaṅghāṃ jānuṃ tathā śāntyai tathaivoruṃ śriyai namaḥ //

Translation

“Salutations to Goddess Lalitā.” Then one should worship her feet and ankles; (next) the calves and knees for peace; and likewise the thighs—salutations for prosperity.

Word by Word

• ललितायै: to Lalitā

• नमः: salutation

• देव्याः: of the Goddess

• पादौ: the two feet

• गुल्फौ: the two ankles

• ततः: then/thereafter

• अर्चयेत्: one should worship

• जङ्घाम्: the calves/shanks

• जानुम्: the knee

• तथा: and/likewise

• शान्त्यै: for peace, appeasement

• तथैव: in the same way

• ऊरुम्: the thigh

• श्रियै: for Śrī (prosperity, auspicious fortune)

• नमः: salutation

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (instructing Vaivasvata Manu on ritual procedure)

Entities Mentioned

• Lalitā
• Devī
• Śānti
• Śrī

Tags

• Devi worship
• Pratima Lakshana
• Ritual procedure
• Nyasa/Anga-puja
• Matsya Purana iconography

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya; it focuses on ritual worship (aṅga-pūjā/nyāsa-like veneration) of the Goddess, linking specific limbs with desired results such as peace and prosperity.

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

It presents a disciplined, stepwise mode of devotion: a king or householder is advised to perform orderly worship seeking śānti (social and inner peace) and śrī (stable prosperity), aligning personal conduct and governance with auspiciousness.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it prescribes limb-by-limb worship of the deity’s form (pratimā/aṅga-pūjā), a key element in Puranic temple liturgy and iconography where specific body-parts are honored in sequence to invoke distinct fruits (śānti, śrī).