Shloka 13

Matsya Purana — The Ārdrānandakarī Tṛtīyā Vrata: Ritual Procedure

Devanagari script

शङ्खचक्रे सकटके स्वस्तिकाङ्कुशचामरान् यावन्तः पांसवस्तत्र रजसः पतिता भुवि तावद्वर्षसहस्राणि शिवलोके महीयते //

Transliteration

śaṅkhacakre sakaṭake svastikāṅkuśacāmarān yāvantaḥ pāṃsavastatra rajasaḥ patitā bhuvi tāvadvarṣasahasrāṇi śivaloke mahīyate //

Translation

Whoever makes (or causes to be made) the conch and discus, the cart (sakaṭa), the svastika, the goad, and the fly-whisk—by as many thousands of years as there are grains of dust and particles of earth that fall upon the ground there, he is honored and exalted in Śiva’s world.

Word by Word

• śaṅkha: conch

• cakra: discus (wheel)

• sakaṭake: on/with a cart, cart-emblem (sakaṭa)

• svastika: svastika auspicious sign

• aṅkuśa: elephant-goad

• cāmara: fly-whisk (yak-tail fan)

• yāvantaḥ: as many as

• pāṃsavaḥ: dust-grains, particles

• tatra: there/in that place

• rajasaḥ: of dust/earthy particles

• patitāḥ: fallen

• bhuvi: on the ground/on earth

• tāvat: so many/that many

• varṣa-sahasrāṇi: thousands of years

• śiva-loke: in Śiva’s world (Śivaloka)

• mahīyate: is honored, is glorified, attains greatness.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu (likely narrative frame of Matsya Purana)

Entities Mentioned

• Shiva
• Shankha (Conch)
• Chakra (Discus)
• Svastika
• Ankusha
• Chamara

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Iconography
• Pratima Lakshana
• Ritual Merit
• Sacred Symbols

FAQs

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

It does not discuss Pralaya directly; it teaches karmic reward—ritual acts involving sacred emblems yield prolonged honor in higher worlds (Śivaloka).

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

It supports the king/householder duty of sponsoring dharmic works—commissioning auspicious symbols for public or sacred spaces is presented as a merit-producing act leading to exalted posthumous status.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The verse highlights the ritual-architectural value of marking or installing auspicious iconographic motifs (śaṅkha, cakra, svastika, etc.), implying these are recommended signs in sacred construction and consecratory contexts with great spiritual merit.