Shloka 2

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

Devanagari script

पुरा दग्धेषु लोकेषु भूर्भुवःस्वर्महादिषु सौभाग्यं सर्वभूतानाम् एकस्थमभवत्तदा वैकुण्ठं स्वर्गमासाद्य विष्णोर् वक्षःस्थलस्थितम् //

Transliteration

purā dagdheṣu lokeṣu bhūrbhuvaḥsvarmahādiṣu saubhāgyaṃ sarvabhūtānām ekasthamabhavattadā vaikuṇṭhaṃ svargamāsādya viṣṇor vakṣaḥsthalasthitam //

Translation

Formerly, when the worlds—Bhūḥ, Bhuvaḥ, Svaḥ, Mahas and the rest—were burnt up, the good fortune of all beings gathered into a single abode. Reaching Vaikuṇṭha, the heavenly realm, it came to rest upon Viṣṇu’s chest.

Word by Word

• purā: formerly

• dagdheṣu: when (they were) burnt

• lokeṣu: in the worlds

• bhūḥ-bhuvaḥ-svar-maha-ādiṣu: in Bhū, Bhuvaḥ, Svaḥ, Mahas and the rest (higher worlds)

• saubhāgyam: fortune, auspicious prosperity (śrī)

• sarva-bhūtānām: of all beings

• eka-stham: situated in one place, gathered into a single abode

• abhavat: became

• tadā: then

• vaikuṇṭham: Vaikuṇṭha (Vishnu’s supreme abode)

• svargam: heaven, celestial realm

• āsādya: having reached

• viṣṇoḥ: of Viṣṇu

• vakṣaḥ-sthala-sthitam: abiding on the chest-region (of Viṣṇu)

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) speaking to Vaivasvata Manu (contextual attribution within the Matsya–Manu dialogue on dissolution and refuge)

Entities Mentioned

• Vaikuntha
• Vishnu
• Bhuh (Bhūḥ)
• Bhuvah (Bhuvaḥ)
• Svah (Svaḥ)
• Mahah (Mahas)
• Sri (Saubhagya/Śrī as fortune)

Tags

• Pralaya
• Vaikuntha
• Vishnu
• Cosmology
• Sri

FAQs

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

It describes a phase of dissolution where the cosmic worlds (Bhūḥ through Mahas and beyond) are consumed by burning, and auspicious prosperity (Śrī/saubhāgya) withdraws from the perishing realms and consolidates in the imperishable refuge—Vaikuṇṭha, with Viṣṇu.

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

By implying that worldly status and prosperity are not permanent during Pralaya, it supports the Matsya Purana’s ethic that rulers and householders should ground their duties (dharma, charity, protection, ritual) in devotion and right conduct rather than in unstable fortune.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

While not giving Vastu measurements, it conveys a key iconographic/ritual idea: Śrī (fortune) is envisioned as abiding on Viṣṇu’s chest—supporting temple and worship iconography where Viṣṇu is adorned at the chest (vakṣaḥsthala), emphasizing Vaikuṇṭha-oriented devotion as the secure ‘abode’ beyond cosmic destruction.