Shloka 9

Matsya Purana — Rasakalyāṇinī Vrata: Magha-based Goddess Worship

Devanagari script

रम्भायै वामकुक्षिं च विशोकायै नमः कटिम् हृदयं मन्मथाधिष्ण्यै पाटलायै तथोदरम् //

Transliteration

rambhāyai vāmakukṣiṃ ca viśokāyai namaḥ kaṭim hṛdayaṃ manmathādhiṣṇyai pāṭalāyai tathodaram //

Translation

Salutations to Rambhā—who presides over the left flank; salutations to Viśokā—who presides over the waist. (Salutations) to Manmathādhiṣṇyā—who presides over the heart; and to Pāṭalā—likewise, who presides over the abdomen.

Word by Word

• rambhāyai: to (the goddess) Rambhā

• vāma-kukṣim: the left side/flank (left abdomen)

• ca: and

• viśokāyai: to (the goddess) Viśokā

• namaḥ: salutation

• kaṭim: the waist/hips

• hṛdayam: the heart

• manmatha-adhiṣṇyai: to Manmathādhiṣṇyā (she whose seat/domain is Manmatha—love/desire

• pāṭalāyai: to (the goddess) Pāṭalā

• tathā: likewise/also

• udaram: the belly/abdomen.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu (ritual/iconographic nyasa context).

Entities Mentioned

• Rambhā
• Viśokā
• Manmathādhiṣṇyā
• Pāṭalā

Tags

• Iconography
• Nyasa
• Devi
• Ritual
• Mantra

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya; it is a ritual-iconographic instruction assigning specific divine names to bodily regions as part of nyāsa (sacralizing the body or the deity-image).

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

Indirectly, it supports the householder’s duty of proper worship (pūjā-vidhi): performing nyāsa and salutations with correct deity-name placement is presented as a disciplined, dharmic way to conduct daily or temple ritual.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it is anganyāsa: invoking/placing deity-aspects onto specific limbs (left flank, waist, heart, abdomen). Such mappings are used in consecration and worship of images in Puranic temple practice and in mantra-nyasa before pūjā.