Shloka 26

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

Devanagari script

शर्वाय पुरहन्तारं वासव्यै तु तथालकान् नमः श्रीकण्ठनाथायै शिवकेशांस्ततो ऽर्चयेत् भीमोग्रसमरूपिण्यै शिरः सर्वात्मने नमः //

Transliteration

śarvāya purahantāraṃ vāsavyai tu tathālakān namaḥ śrīkaṇṭhanāthāyai śivakeśāṃstato 'rcayet bhīmograsamarūpiṇyai śiraḥ sarvātmane namaḥ //

Translation

One should offer salutations to Śarva, the Destroyer of the Tripura-forts, and likewise to Vāsavī. Then, with the mantra “Namaḥ,” one should worship Śrīkaṇṭhanāthā—the consort of Śrīkaṇṭha (Śiva)—invoking her as “Śiva-keśā,” she whose hair is like Śiva’s. To the Goddess of terrifying, fierce, battle-like form one should bow the head; and to Sarvātman, the All-Self, one should offer reverence.

Word by Word

• śarvāya: to Śarva (a name of Śiva)

• purahantāram: the destroyer of the (three) citadels/forts (Tripura)

• vāsavyai: to Vāsavī (consort/power associated with Indra

• tu: and/indeed

• tathā: likewise

• (a)lakān: a term in the received text—most likely referring to a class/name of divine forms or attendants to be worshipped (contextually, additional deities/epithets)

• namaḥ: salutation

• śrīkaṇṭhanāthāyai: to Śrīkaṇṭhanāthā (Lady/Consort of Śrīkaṇṭha, i.e., Śiva)

• śiva-keśām: (to her) ‘Śiva-haired’/whose hair is like Śiva’s or dedicated to Śiva

• tataḥ: then/thereafter

• arcayet: one should worship

• bhīma-ugra-sama-rūpiṇyai: to her who has a dreadful, fierce, battle-like form

• śiraḥ: (with) the head (i.e., bowing the head)

• sarvātmane: to the All-Self, the universal inner Self

• namaḥ: salutation.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (instructing Vaivasvata Manu on ritual worship/mantra usage, consistent with the Matsya–Manu dialogue framework)

Entities Mentioned

• Śarva (Śiva)
• Tripurāntaka (destroyer of Tripura, implied by purahantāra)
• Vāsavī
• Śrīkaṇṭha (Śiva, implied)
• Devī (fierce form implied by bhīmogra-samarūpiṇī)
• Sarvātman (the All-Self)

Tags

• Mantra
• Arcana
• Śaiva-Śākta
• Iconography
• Ritual Procedure

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it is a ritual-instruction verse prescribing salutations and worship-mantras for Śiva (Śarva/Tripurāntaka) and Devī, emphasizing devotional order and reverence to the All-Self (Sarvātman).

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

It frames dharmic duty as regular, properly-sequenced worship (arcana) using correct divine epithets; for kings and householders, such regulated devotion is presented as a means to maintain personal discipline and social-religious order.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it gives mantra-style invocations and a sequence of worship (salutation → worship → bowing the head), useful in temple/household pūjā contexts; architecturally it is indirect, but supports temple liturgy by specifying deity-names used during arcana.