Shloka 47

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

Devanagari script

नारी वा कुरुते वापि कुमारी वा नरेश्वर सापि तत्फलमाप्नोति देव्यनुग्रहलालिता //

Transliteration

nārī vā kurute vāpi kumārī vā nareśvara sāpi tatphalamāpnoti devyanugrahalālitā //

Translation

O lord of men, whether it is a woman or even an unmarried maiden who performs this observance, she too attains that very fruit—cherished by the Goddess’s grace.

Word by Word

• नारी (nārī): woman

• वा (vā): or

• कुरुते (kurute): performs, undertakes

• वा अपि (vāpi): or even

• कुमारी (kumārī): maiden, unmarried girl

• वा (vā): or

• नर-ईश्वर (nara-īśvara): king, lord of men

• सा अपि (sāpi): she too

• तत्-फलम् (tat-phalam): that fruit/result

• आप्नोति (āpnoti): attains, obtains

• देवी-अनुग्रह (devī-anugraha): the Goddess’s favor/grace

• लालिता (lālitā): cherished, fondled, lovingly supported (by).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu / addressing the king as nareśvara)

Entities Mentioned

• Devī (Goddess)

Tags

• Dharma
• Vrata
• Devī-upāsanā
• Phala-śruti
• Inclusivity

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it emphasizes that the merit (phala) of the described observance is attainable for women and maidens through the Goddess’s grace.

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

Addressing the king (“nareśvara”), the text underlines a dharmic principle relevant to rulers and householders: religious merit and ritual results are not restricted by gender, and the king should uphold and facilitate such inclusive dharma in society.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual takeaway is eligibility: a woman or a kumārī who performs the stated vow/worship attains the same result, credited specifically to Devī’s anugraha (grace).