Shloka 28

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

Devanagari script

इहलोके वरान् पुत्रान् सौभाग्यफलम् अश्नुते यः स्मरः संस्मृतो विष्णुर् आनन्दात्मा महेश्वरः //

Transliteration

ihaloke varān putrān saubhāgyaphalam aśnute yaḥ smaraḥ saṃsmṛto viṣṇur ānandātmā maheśvaraḥ //

Translation

In this very world one gains excellent sons and the fruits of good fortune—when that divine power, remembered as Smara and recollected as Viṣṇu, is (also) Mahādeva, Mahēśvara whose very nature is bliss (ānanda).

Word by Word

• iha-loke: in this world

• varān: excellent, choice

• putrān: sons/offspring

• saubhāgya-phalam: the fruit of good fortune/prosperity

• aśnute: attains, enjoys

• yaḥ: who/that (one)

• smaraḥ: Smara (the remembered one

• saṃsmṛtaḥ: recollected, called to mind

• viṣṇuḥ: Viṣṇu

• ānanda-ātmā: whose essence is bliss

• maheśvaraḥ: Maheśvara (the Great Lord, Śiva)

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (as Vishnu) speaking to Vaivasvata Manu (likely phala-śruti style instruction)

Entities Mentioned

• Vishnu
• Maheshvara
• Smara

Tags

• Dharma
• Bhakti
• Phala-shruti
• Vishnu
• Shiva

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss pralaya directly; it functions as a merit-statement (phala-śruti), teaching that remembrance of the divine (identified with Viṣṇu and Maheśvara) grants auspicious worldly results.

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

It frames prosperity and worthy progeny as fruits of sustained smaraṇa (devotional remembrance). For householders and rulers alike, it implies that righteous governance and family life should be anchored in daily recollection/worship of the deity, yielding social stability and personal auspiciousness.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No vastu or iconographic rule appears here; the ritual takeaway is the efficacy of smaraṇa—regular remembrance/recitation as a simple devotional practice promising saubhāgya (auspicious fortune).