Shloka 42

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

Devanagari script

उमामहेश्वरं हैमं वृषभं च गवा सह स्थापयित्वाथ शयने ब्राह्मणाय निवेदयेत् //

Transliteration

umāmaheśvaraṃ haimaṃ vṛṣabhaṃ ca gavā saha sthāpayitvātha śayane brāhmaṇāya nivedayet //

Translation

Having set up a golden image of Umā and Maheśvara, and also a bull together with a cow, one should then offer them—along with a bed—to a brāhmaṇa.

Word by Word

• umā-maheśvaram: Umā and Maheśvara (Śiva) as a divine pair

• haimam: made of gold, golden

• vṛṣabham: bull

• ca: and

• gavā saha: together with a cow (lit. ‘with a cow’)

• sthāpayitvā: having installed/placed (as in setting up images for donation)

• atha: then/thereafter

• śayane: with a bed / in the context of a bed-gift (śayana-dāna)

• brāhmaṇāya: to a brāhmaṇa

• nivedayet: should present/offer (as a formal religious gift).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Umā
• Maheśvara (Śiva)
• Vṛṣabha (bull)
• Gauḥ (cow)
• Brāhmaṇa

Tags

• Dāna
• Dharma
• Ritual gifting
• Śaiva iconography
• Householder duties

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it is a dharma instruction on merit-making through prescribed gifts (dāna), especially icon-and-cattle offerings.

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

It outlines a householder/kingly duty of dāna: installing sacred icons and gifting valuable items (bed, cow and bull) to a brāhmaṇa as a means of accruing religious merit and supporting learned ritual specialists.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The key ritual element is “sthāpayitvā” (installing/setting up) the icons before donation—reflecting proper pratima-handling protocol—and the structured gift package associated with śayana-dāna (bed-gift) rites.