Shloka 3

Matsya Purana — The Ārdrānandakarī Tṛtīyā Vrata: Ritual Procedure

Devanagari script

शुक्लमाल्याम्बरधरः शुक्लगन्धानुलेपनः भवानीमर्चयेद्भक्त्या शुक्लपुष्पैः सुगन्धिभिः महादेवेन सहिताम् उपविष्टां महासने //

Transliteration

śuklamālyāmbaradharaḥ śuklagandhānulepanaḥ bhavānīmarcayedbhaktyā śuklapuṣpaiḥ sugandhibhiḥ mahādevena sahitām upaviṣṭāṃ mahāsane //

Translation

Wearing a white garland and white garments, and anointed with white fragrance, one should worship Bhavānī with devotion using sweet-smelling white flowers—meditating on her as seated upon a great throne together with Mahādeva.

Word by Word

• śukla: white/pure

• mālyāmbara-dharaḥ: wearing garland and clothing

• śukla-gandha-anulepanaḥ: anointed/smeared with white (pure) perfume

• bhavānīm: Bhavānī (Pārvatī/Devī) as the object of worship

• arcayet: should worship

• bhaktyā: with devotion

• śukla-puṣpaiḥ: with white flowers

• su-gandhibhiḥ: fragrant, sweet-smelling

• mahādevena: with Mahādeva (Śiva)

• sahitām: accompanied by, together with

• upaviṣṭām: seated

• mahā-āsane: on a great seat/throne

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Bhavani (Devi/Parvati)
• Mahadeva (Shiva)

Tags

• Devi Puja
• Ritual Purity
• Upachara
• Iconography
• Matsya Purana worship rules

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it prescribes a devotional worship procedure (pujā) for Bhavānī, emphasizing purity and auspiciousness through white attire, fragrance, and flowers.

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

It models the householder/royal duty of daily or festival worship: approaching the deity with cleanliness, prescribed offerings, and steady devotion—supporting dharma through regulated ritual conduct.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it specifies upacāras (white garments, perfumes, and flowers) and a dhyāna-image: Bhavānī seated on a mahāsana with Mahādeva—useful for altar/temple icon placement and meditative visualization during pūjā.