Shloka 5

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

Devanagari script

देवेन ब्रह्मणा दत्तं यानमस्य यतो ऽम्बुजम् पुष्पवाहनमित्याहुस् तस्मात्तं देवदानवाः //

Transliteration

devena brahmaṇā dattaṃ yānamasya yato 'mbujam puṣpavāhanamityāhus tasmāttaṃ devadānavāḥ //

Translation

Because the god Brahmā granted him the lotus as his conveyance, therefore the gods and the Dānavas call him “Puṣpavāhana”—the one whose vehicle is flowers.

Word by Word

• devena: by the god

• brahmaṇā: by Brahmā

• dattam: given, bestowed

• yānam: vehicle, conveyance

• asya: of him

• yataḥ: because/from which cause

• ambujam: lotus (water-born flower)

• puṣpa-vāhanam: ‘flower-vehicle’ (one whose vāhana is flowers)

• iti: thus

• āhuḥ: they say/call

• tasmāt: therefore

• tam: him

• deva-dānavāḥ: gods and Dānavas (a class of Asuras).

Speaker

• Sūta (Purāṇic narrator) describing an iconographic epithet

Entities Mentioned

• Brahmā
• Devas
• Dānavas
• Ambuja (Lotus)
• Puṣpavāhana (epithet)

Tags

• Iconography
• Vahana
• Pratima Lakshana
• Lotus symbolism
• Names and epithets

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it focuses on an iconographic tradition—how a deity’s epithet arises from a sacred attribute (the lotus given by Brahmā as a vehicle).

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

Indirectly, it supports dharma through correct tradition (śāstra-pramāṇa): kings and householders are encouraged to preserve accurate names, symbols, and ritual knowledge when sponsoring worship, festivals, or temple endowments.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It functions as a pratīmā/ritual identification marker: knowing that “Puṣpavāhana” is linked to the lotus helps priests and temple patrons choose appropriate emblems, floral offerings, and iconographic detailing in deity depiction and worship.