Shloka 20

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

Devanagari script

ईशायै च कीटं देव्याः शंकरायेति शंकरम् कुक्षिद्वयं च कोटव्यै शूलिने शूलपाणये //

Transliteration

īśāyai ca kīṭaṃ devyāḥ śaṃkarāyeti śaṃkaram kukṣidvayaṃ ca koṭavyai śūline śūlapāṇaye //

Translation

For Īśā one should place the syllable “kīṭa”; for the Goddess invoke “Śaṅkarāya,” and for Śaṅkara invoke “Śaṅkaram.” On the two sides of the belly/flanks one should place “koṭavyai”; and for the Trident-bearer invoke “śūline” and “śūlapāṇaye”.

Word by Word

• īśāyai: to Īśā (Śiva’s Śakti/aspect of the Goddess)

• ca: and

• kīṭam: ‘kīṭa’ (a mantra-syllable/seed term used in nyāsa)

• devyāḥ: of/for the Goddess

• śaṃkarāya: ‘to Śaṅkara’ (dative invocation)

• iti: thus (as the formula)

• śaṃkaram: ‘Śaṅkara’ (accusative/object of placement)

• kukṣidvayam: the pair of flanks/sides of the belly

• ca: and

• koṭavyai: to Koṭavī/Koṭavyā (a fierce goddess-name used as a placement/invocation)

• śūline: to the one with the trident (Śiva)

• śūlapāṇaye: to the one holding the trident in his hand (Śiva).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (instructing Vaivasvata Manu on ritual/iconographic procedure)

Entities Mentioned

• Īśā (Śakti)
• Devī
• Śaṅkara (Śiva)
• Koṭavī/Koṭavyā
• Śūlin
• Śūlapāṇi

Tags

• Matsya Purana Vastu Shastra tips
• Pratima Lakshana
• Mantra Nyasa
• Shiva Iconography
• Temple Ritual

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it belongs to the ritual-iconographic stream, prescribing mantra/epithet placements for Śiva–Śakti during worship or consecration.

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

It guides correct performance of deity-worship and installation rites; for a king (as patron) or a householder, it supports dharma through proper temple/household ritual observance and respectful invocation of Śiva and Devī.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It indicates nyāsa-like placement of specific invocations/epithets on defined bodily locations (e.g., flanks/belly) of the deity-image, a key step in Pratima-Lakṣaṇa and consecration practice connected to Puranic temple ritual procedure.