Shloka 20

Matsya Purana — The Madana-Dvādaśī Vow and the Birth of the Maruts

Devanagari script

प्रीयताम् अत्र भगवान् कामरूपी जनार्दनः हृदये सर्वभूतानां य आनन्दो ऽभिधीयते //

Transliteration

prīyatām atra bhagavān kāmarūpī janārdanaḥ hṛdaye sarvabhūtānāṃ ya ānando 'bhidhīyate //

Translation

May the Blessed Lord Janārdana—who assumes forms at will—be pleased here; He who is spoken of as the bliss (ānanda) within the hearts of all beings.

Word by Word

• prīyatām: may (he) be pleased, may (he) be propitiated

• atra: here, in this act/rite/recitation

• bhagavān: the Blessed Lord

• kāmarūpī: one who takes any desired form, who manifests by will

• janārdanaḥ: Janārdana (Viṣṇu, remover of afflictions of people)

• hṛdaye: in the heart

• sarva-bhūtānām: of all beings

• yaḥ: who

• ānandaḥ: bliss, inner beatitude

• abhidhīyate: is called, is designated (in scripture/speech).

Speaker

• Narrator/reciter in the Purāṇic frame (likely Sūta conveying the text’s benedictory prayer; the verse functions as an invocation rather than direct dialogue)

Entities Mentioned

• Janardana (Vishnu)
• Bhagavan

Tags

• Stuti
• Vishnu
• Antaryamin
• Bhakti
• Ananda

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; it establishes Viṣṇu (Janārdana) as the indwelling bliss in all beings—an underlying theological basis used throughout Purāṇic accounts of creation, preservation, and dissolution.

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

As an invocation, it frames dharma as rooted in inner devotion: a king or householder is urged to begin acts—rule, charity, ritual, or study—by propitiating the Lord who abides in everyone’s heart, supporting ethical governance and compassionate conduct.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual takeaway is the benedictory intent: before any rite (including temple worship or Vāstu-related undertakings), one invokes and pleases Janārdana, recognized as the inner bliss (ānanda) present in all beings.