Shloka 12

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

Devanagari script

विकल्पः स्वस्थचित्ते ऽपि गिरिजे नैव कल्पना यद्येवं कुपिता भीरु त्वं तवाहं न वै पुनः //

Transliteration

vikalpaḥ svasthacitte 'pi girije naiva kalpanā yadyevaṃ kupitā bhīru tvaṃ tavāhaṃ na vai punaḥ //

Translation

O Girijā, even with a composed mind one should not indulge in wavering doubts or fanciful conjectures. If you are thus angered, timid one, then I am not yours—nor are you mine—any longer.

Word by Word

• vikalpaḥ: doubt, wavering alternative

• svastha-citte: in a settled/composed mind

• api: even

• girije: O Girijā (daughter of the mountain, Pārvatī)

• na eva: not at all

• kalpanā: imagination, supposition, conjecture

• yadi: if

• evaṃ: thus

• kupitā: angered

• bhīru: O timid one

• tvam: you

• tava: yours

• aham: I

• na vai: certainly not

• punaḥ: again, any longer

Speaker

• Likely Lord Śiva (addressing Girijā/Pārvatī) within the Matsya Purana’s narrative dialogue

Entities Mentioned

• Girijā (Pārvatī)

Tags

• Dialogue
• Dharma
• Anger
• Relationships
• Mind

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya; it focuses on psychological discipline—avoiding doubt-driven imagination even when the mind seems calm.

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

It emphasizes self-control and steady judgment: leaders and householders should avoid impulsive suspicion and anger, since instability of mind damages trust, order, and dharmic conduct.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No vastu, iconography, or ritual procedure is mentioned; the takeaway is ethical—mastery over vikalpa (wavering doubt) and krodha (anger).