Shloka 20

Matsya Purana — The Greatness of the Vibhūti-Dvādaśī Vow: Pushkara

Devanagari script

तां तु दृष्ट्वा ततस्ताभ्याम् इदं च परिचिन्तितम् किमेभिः कमलैः कार्यं वरं विष्णुरलंकृतः //

Transliteration

tāṃ tu dṛṣṭvā tatastābhyām idaṃ ca paricintitam kimebhiḥ kamalaiḥ kāryaṃ varaṃ viṣṇuralaṃkṛtaḥ //

Translation

But on seeing that, the two of them reflected: “What use are these lotus-flowers? It is better that Lord Viṣṇu Himself be adorned.”

Word by Word

• ताम् (tām): that (sight/that situation)

• तु (tu): but

• दृष्ट्वा (dṛṣṭvā): having seen

• ततः (tataḥ): then

• ताभ्याम् (tābhyām): by those two / by the pair

• इदम् (idam): this

• च (ca): and

• परिचिन्तितम् (paricintitam): was considered/reflected upon

• किम् (kim): what?

• एभिः (ebhiḥ): with these

• कमलैः (kamalaiḥ): lotuses

• कार्यम् (kāryam): to be done / purpose

• वरम् (varam): better

• विष्णुः (viṣṇuḥ): Viṣṇu

• अलंकृतः (alaṃkṛtaḥ): adorned/ornamented.

Speaker

• Narrator (Purana dialogue frame; likely Suta recounting the episode/context of worship)

Entities Mentioned

• Vishnu
• Kamalā (lotus-flowers)

Tags

• Vishnu Puja
• Iconography
• Temple Ritual
• Alankara
• Lotus Offering

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss pralaya directly; it emphasizes devotional priority—adorning Viṣṇu is considered superior to merely possessing or using ritual items like lotuses.

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

It supports the dharmic principle that resources and actions should be directed toward īśvara-pūjā (worship of God); for householders and rulers alike, the highest use of wealth and offerings is reverent service and ornamentation of the deity.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it highlights alaṅkāra (adorning the deity) as a key component of pūjā—flowers are meaningful when they culminate in beautifying the Viṣṇu image/altar, aligning with iconography-focused worship practice.