Shloka 27

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

Devanagari script

शिवमभ्यर्च्य विधिवत् सौभाग्याष्टकमग्रतः स्थापयेद्धृतनिष्पावकुसुम्भक्षीरजीरकम् //

Transliteration

śivamabhyarcya vidhivat saubhāgyāṣṭakamagrataḥ sthāpayeddhṛtaniṣpāvakusumbhakṣīrajīrakam //

Translation

Having worshipped Śiva in the prescribed manner, one should place the Saubhāgya-aṣṭaka in front and set out as offerings ghee, niṣpāva beans, kusumbha (safflower), milk, and cumin.

Word by Word

• शिवम् (śivam): Lord Śiva

• अभ्यर्च्य (abhyarcya): having worshipped/reverently honoured

• विधिवत् (vidhivat): according to rule/ritual procedure

• सौभाग्याष्टकम् (saubhāgyāṣṭakam): the ‘Eightfold (hymn/rite) of auspicious marital fortune’

• अग्रतः (agrataḥ): in front/before (the deity)

• स्थापयेत् (sthāpayet): one should place/set/arrange

• धृत (dhṛta): ghee/clarified butter

• निष्पाव (niṣpāva): niṣpāva beans (a pulse/legume used in offerings)

• कुसुम्भ (kusumbha): safflower (kusumbha) used as an offering/substance

• क्षीर (kṣīra): milk

• जीरकम् (jīrakam): cumin

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, within the Matsya Purana’s teaching frame)

Entities Mentioned

• Shiva
• Saubhagya-ashtaka

Tags

• Śiva-pūjā
• Vrata-vidhi
• Saubhāgya
• Ritual offerings
• Householder dharma

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it prescribes a Śaiva ritual arrangement—placing the Saubhāgya-aṣṭaka and specific offering items—aimed at auspiciousness rather than cosmology.

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

It supports gṛhastha-dharma by teaching a regulated form of worship and prescribed offerings intended to secure saubhāgya (good fortune, especially marital/household well-being), aligning personal piety with orderly domestic life.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it specifies the front placement (agrataḥ) of the Saubhāgya-aṣṭaka and enumerates the naivedya/dravya set (ghee, niṣpāva, safflower, milk, cumin), indicating a standardized pūjā layout and offering protocol.