Shloka 1

Matsya Purana — Śiva–Pārvatī Quarrel and Pārvatī’s Resolve for Austerity to Attain Gaurī-hood

Devanagari script

*शर्व उवाच शरीरे मम तन्वङ्गि सिते भास्यसितद्युतिः भुजंगीवासिता शुद्धा संश्लिष्टा चन्दने तरौ //

Transliteration

*śarva uvāca śarīre mama tanvaṅgi site bhāsyasitadyutiḥ bhujaṃgīvāsitā śuddhā saṃśliṣṭā candane tarau //

Translation

Śarva (Śiva) said: “O slender-limbed fair one, upon My body there shines a radiant, pure, white splendour—made fragrant as if by serpents—closely clinging, like sandal-paste upon a tree.”

Word by Word

• śarvaḥ uvāca: Śarva (Śiva) said

• śarīre mama: on my body

• tanv-aṅgi: O slender-limbed woman

• site: O fair/white one (voc.)

• bhāsyasita-dyutiḥ: a shining white radiance/splendour

• bhujaṃgī-vāsitā: perfumed/fragranced by serpents (bhujaṅga = serpent

• śuddhā: pure

• saṃśliṣṭā: closely clinging/embracing

• candane: like sandal paste / in sandal

• tarau: on a tree (locative sense: ‘upon a tree-trunk’).

Speaker

• Śarva (Lord Śiva)

Entities Mentioned

• Śarva (Śiva)
• Serpents (bhujaṅga)

Tags

• Iconography
• Pratima Lakshana
• Sacred description
• Ritual aesthetics
• Temple imagery

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya directly; it is a descriptive (lakṣaṇa) passage focusing on divine appearance and sacred radiance, typical of iconography sections rather than cosmology.

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

Indirectly, it supports dharmic practice by guiding reverent contemplation of a deity’s auspicious form—useful for household worship and for kings who sponsor temples and public rites, ensuring correct devotional and aesthetic standards.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The simile ‘clinging like sandal paste on a tree’ points to ritual aesthetics (anulepana—sandal application) and the desired visual/olfactory auspiciousness used in consecration, daily pūjā, and icon-setting traditions aligned with Matsya Purana-style pratima guidelines.