Shloka 17

Matsya Purana — Saubhagya-Śayana Vow: Lalitā/Gaurī–Śiva Worship

Devanagari script

प्रतिमां पञ्चगव्येन तथा गन्धोदकेन तु स्नापयित्वार्चयेद् गौरीम् इन्दुशेखरसंयुताम् //

Transliteration

pratimāṃ pañcagavyena tathā gandhodakena tu snāpayitvārcayed gaurīm induśekharasaṃyutām //

Translation

Having bathed the image with pañcagavya and also with scented water, one should then worship Gaurī, who is united with the moon-crested Lord (Śiva).

Word by Word

• प्रतिमाम् (pratimām): the image/icon

• पञ्चगव्येन (pañcagavyena): with pañcagavya (five cow-products used ritually)

• तथा (tathā): and also

• गन्धोदकेन (gandhodakena): with perfumed/scented water

• तु (tu): indeed/then

• स्नापयित्वा (snāpayitvā): having bathed (performed ceremonial ablution)

• अर्चयेत् (arcayet): one should worship

• गौरीम् (gaurīm): Gaurī (Pārvatī)

• इन्दुशेखरसंयुताम् (induśekharasaṃyutām): joined with the moon-crested one (Śiva, Induśekhara)

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Gaurī (Pārvatī)
• Induśekhara (Śiva)

Tags

• Pratima
• Pañcagavya
• Abhiṣeka
• Gaurī-pūjā
• Puranic ritual

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it preserves ritual continuity—proper abhiṣeka and worship of the deity image—rather than cosmological dissolution.

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

It frames a householder’s (and by extension a king’s) dharmic duty to maintain correct temple/home worship: purifying the icon with pañcagavya and gandhodaka, then performing Gaurī-pūjā according to rule.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual significance is the prescribed snapana (ceremonial bathing) of a pratimā using pañcagavya and scented water, followed by worship of Gaurī in her association with Śiva (Induśekhara), reflecting standard temple abhiṣeka protocol.