Shloka 3

Matsya Purana — The Greatness and Procedure of the Aṅgāra

Devanagari script

*युधिष्ठिर उवाच कथमारोग्यमैश्वर्यं मतिर्धर्मे गतिस्तथा अव्यङ्गता शिवे भक्तिर् वैष्णवो वा भवेत्कथम् //

Transliteration

*yudhiṣṭhira uvāca kathamārogyamaiśvaryaṃ matirdharme gatistathā avyaṅgatā śive bhaktir vaiṣṇavo vā bhavetkatham //

Translation

Yudhiṣṭhira said: How does one attain health and prosperity? How does one’s mind become established in dharma, and how is one’s right course in life secured? How does one become free from bodily defect, and how does devotion arise—either toward Śiva or as a Vaiṣṇava, a devotee of Viṣṇu?

Word by Word

• युधिष्ठिरः: Yudhiṣṭhira

• उवाच: said

• कथम्: how

• आरोग्यम्: health, freedom from disease

• ऐश्वर्यम्: lordly prosperity, power, abundance

• मतिः: intellect, inclination, settled mind

• धर्मे: in dharma, in righteousness

• गतिः: course, path, right destiny

• तथा: and also

• अव्यङ्गता: freedom from deformity/defect, wholeness of body

• शिवे: toward Śiva / in Śiva (as the auspicious Lord)

• भक्तिः: devotion

• वैष्णवः: a devotee of Viṣṇu

• वा: or

• भवेत्: may arise, may become

• कथम्: how

Speaker

• Yudhiṣṭhira

Entities Mentioned

• Yudhiṣṭhira
• Dharma
• Śiva
• Viṣṇu (Vaiṣṇava)

Tags

• Dharma
• Bhakti
• Śiva
• Vaiṣṇavism
• Wellbeing

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss pralaya; it is an ethical and devotional inquiry about attaining health, prosperity, dharmic orientation, and devotion to Śiva or Viṣṇu.

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

It frames the core aims of righteous life—ārogya (health), aiśvarya (prosperity), and steadfastness in dharma—goals especially relevant to kings and householders who must sustain society while cultivating disciplined devotion.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or temple-architecture rule appears here; the verse sets up a question that is typically answered through dharmic conduct, vows, worship, and devotional discipline rather than construction principles.