Shloka 4

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

Devanagari script

स्पर्धायां च प्रवृत्तायां कमलासनकृष्णयोः लिङ्गाकारा समुद्भूता वह्नेर्ज्वालातिभीषणा तयाभितप्तस्य हरेर् वक्षसस्तद्विनिःसृतम् //

Transliteration

spardhāyāṃ ca pravṛttāyāṃ kamalāsanakṛṣṇayoḥ liṅgākārā samudbhūtā vahnerjvālātibhīṣaṇā tayābhitaptasya harer vakṣasastadviniḥsṛtam //

Translation

When rivalry arose between the Lotus-seated One (Brahmā) and Kṛṣṇa (Viṣṇu), a terrifying blaze of fire appeared in the form of a liṅga. Scorched by it, that splendour-energy issued forth from Hari’s chest.

Word by Word

• स्पर्धायाम्: in rivalry/competition

• च: and

• प्रवृत्तायाम्: when it had commenced/arisen

• कमलासनकृष्णयोः: of the Lotus-seated (Brahmā) and Kṛṣṇa/Viṣṇu

• लिङ्गाकारा: having the form of a liṅga

• समुद्भूता: arisen/manifested

• वह्नेः: of fire

• ज्वालातिभीषणा: exceedingly terrifying with flames

• तया: by that (flame)

• अभितप्तस्य: of one who was scorched/burnt

• हरेः: of Hari (Viṣṇu)

• वक्षसः: from the chest

• तत्: that (radiance/essence)

• विनिःसृतम्: flowed out/issued forth.

Speaker

• Sūta (narrating the Purāṇic account; dialogue context ultimately framed for Manu in the Matsya Purāṇa’s larger discourse)

Entities Mentioned

• Brahmā (Kamalāsana)
• Viṣṇu (Hari/Kṛṣṇa)
• Liṅga
• Agni (fire)

Tags

• Linga-Mahatmya
• Iconography
• Shaiva-Vaishnava synthesis
• Cosmic theophany
• Ritual symbolism

FAQs

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

It presents a cosmic theophany—an overwhelming fiery manifestation in liṅga-form—signaling a power beyond rival creator-preserver claims; it is not a pralaya verse directly, but it uses cosmic fire imagery to assert transcendent supremacy.

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

By condemning divine rivalry through a corrective manifestation, it implies dharmic governance and household life should avoid ego-driven contest and instead honor the higher principle (Īśvara) through restraint, humility, and proper worship.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The liṅga appears as a revealed form (liṅgākāra), supporting liṅga-pratiṣṭhā and liṅga-pūjā traditions; in temple/ritual framing, it grounds the liṅga as a primary aniconic emblem suitable for installation and worship.