Shloka 12

Matsya Purana — The Maheshvara Vow: Śiva-Caturdaśī Vrata

Devanagari script

पार्श्वौ चानन्तधर्माय ज्ञानभूताय वै कटिम् ऊरू चानन्तवैराग्यसिंहायेत्यभिपूजयेत् //

Transliteration

pārśvau cānantadharmāya jñānabhūtāya vai kaṭim ūrū cānantavairāgyasiṃhāyetyabhipūjayet //

Translation

One should worship the Lord’s two sides as Infinite Dharma; the waist as the very embodiment of Knowledge (Jñāna); and the thighs as the lion-like power of Infinite Dispassion (Vairāgya).

Word by Word

• pārśvau: the two sides/flanks (of the deity’s body)

• ca: and

• ananta-dharmāya: to Infinite Dharma / the endless principle of righteousness

• jñāna-bhūtāya: to the One who is knowledge itself / the embodiment of knowledge

• vai: indeed

• kaṭim: the waist

• ūrū: the thighs

• ca: and

• ananta-vairāgya-siṃhāya: to the lion (siṃha) of infinite dispassion / to the mighty power of boundless renunciation

• iti: thus

• abhipūjayet: one should worship with reverence

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Lord Matsya
• Dharma
• Jñāna
• Vairāgya

Tags

• Iconography
• Ritual
• Dharma
• Jnana
• Vairagya

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya directly; it teaches symbolic worship, mapping cosmic virtues (Dharma, Jñāna, Vairāgya) onto the deity’s limbs to cultivate inner steadiness—an attitude valued across creation-and-dissolution cycles.

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

It frames righteous living as embodied practice: a king or householder should uphold Dharma, pursue Jñāna (discernment and right counsel), and maintain Vairāgya (non-attachment), preventing power or wealth from becoming binding.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it supports icon-worship procedures where specific limbs of the mūrti are honored with specific qualities—useful for consecration (pratiṣṭhā) and daily pūjā sequences in temple practice.