Shloka 17

Matsya Purana — The Greatness and Procedure of the Sarva-Phala-Tyaga Vrata

Devanagari script

यथा भेदं न पश्यामि शिवविष्ण्वर्कपद्मजान् तथा ममास्तु विश्वात्मा शंकरः शंकरः सदा //

Transliteration

yathā bhedaṃ na paśyāmi śivaviṣṇvarkapadmajān tathā mamāstu viśvātmā śaṃkaraḥ śaṃkaraḥ sadā //

Translation

As I perceive no difference between Śiva, Viṣṇu, the Sun, and the Lotus-born (Brahmā), so may Śaṅkara—who is the very Soul of the universe—ever be mine, ever be my refuge.

Word by Word

• yathā: just as

• bhedam: difference/distinction

• na: not

• paśyāmi: I see/perceive

• śiva: Śiva

• viṣṇu: Viṣṇu

• arka: the Sun (Sūrya)

• padmajān: the lotus-born one (Brahmā)

• tathā: so/likewise

• mama: for me/mine

• astu: may there be/may it be

• viśvātmā: the universal Self/the Soul of all

• śaṅkaraḥ: Śaṅkara (Śiva, the beneficent one)

• sadā: always/forever

Speaker

• A devotee/narratorial voice within the Matsya Purana (stuti-style praise; precise interlocutor not explicit in the provided extract)

Entities Mentioned

• Shiva (Shankara)
• Vishnu
• Surya (Arka)
• Brahma (Padmaja)

Tags

• Harihara
• Non-duality
• Stuti
• Deity unity
• Bhakti

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; it establishes a theological principle that the cosmic functions associated with Brahmā (creation), Sūrya (cosmic order/time), Viṣṇu (preservation), and Śiva (transformation) are ultimately non-different in essence.

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

By teaching non-sectarian reverence and seeing unity among deities, it supports dharmic conduct—reducing religious rivalry, encouraging tolerance, and grounding daily worship (nitya-karma) in a single, harmonized vision of the Divine.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or temple-measurement rule is stated; ritually, the takeaway is ekatva-bhāva—one may worship Śaṅkara with the understanding that the same Supreme is honored through Śiva, Viṣṇu, Sūrya, and Brahmā.