Shloka 11

Matsya Purana — The Maheshvara Vow: Śiva-Caturdaśī Vrata

Devanagari script

अघोरहृदयायेति हृदयं चाभिपूजयेत् स्तनौ तत्पुरुषायेति तथेशानाय चोदरम् //

Transliteration

aghorahṛdayāyeti hṛdayaṃ cābhipūjayet stanau tatpuruṣāyeti tatheśānāya codaram //

Translation

Reciting “(obeisance) to Aghora—(the) Heart,” one should worship (touch and consecrate) the heart; reciting “(obeisance) to Tatpuruṣa,” one should (consecrate) the two breasts; and likewise, reciting “(obeisance) to Īśāna,” one should (consecrate) the abdomen.

Word by Word

• अघोरहृदयाय (aghorahṛdayāya): to Aghora as the Heart-mantra (a form/mantra of Śiva)

• इति (iti): thus/with the words

• हृदयम् (hṛdayam): the heart

• च (ca): and

• अभिपूजयेत् (abhipūjayet): should worship/should ritually honor (by nyāsa, touch, offering)

• स्तनौ (stanau): the two breasts

• तत्पुरुषाय (tatpuruṣāya): to Tatpuruṣa (a Śiva-mantra/form)

• इति (iti): with the formula

• तथा (tathā): likewise

• ईशानाय (īśānāya): to Īśāna (a Śiva-mantra/form)

• च (ca): and

• उदरम् (udaram): the belly/abdomen.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Matsya
• Manu
• Aghora
• Tatpuruṣa
• Īśāna
• Śiva (via pañcabrahma-mantras)

Tags

• Ritual
• Nyasa
• Mantra
• Iconography
• Vastuvidya

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it teaches ritual nyāsa—placing specific Śaiva mantras on bodily locations (heart, breasts, abdomen) as part of consecration and worship.

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

It supports the householder’s and patron-king’s duty to uphold correct ritual practice—funding, learning, and performing temple/household worship with proper mantra-nyāsa and disciplined procedure.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it specifies anga-nyāsa using pañcabrahma-related mantras, a standard preparatory act for image worship and consecration—often integrated into temple installation rites described in Vastuvidya/Pratima sections.