Shloka 2

Matsya Purana — The Maheshvara Vow: Śiva-Caturdaśī Vrata

Devanagari script

एवमुक्तो ऽब्रवीच्छम्भुर् अयं वाङ्मयपारगः मत्समस्तपसा ब्रह्मन् पुराणश्रुतिविस्तरैः //

Transliteration

evamukto 'bravīcchambhur ayaṃ vāṅmayapāragaḥ matsamastapasā brahman purāṇaśrutivistaraiḥ //

Translation

Thus addressed, Śambhu replied: “O Brahman, this one is a master of sacred speech and literature, equal to me in the full range of austerities, and expansive in his knowledge of the Purāṇic tradition and scriptural recitation.”

Word by Word

• evam: thus

• uktaḥ: addressed/spoken to

• abravīt: said/replied

• śambhuḥ: Śambhu (Śiva)

• ayam: this person/this one

• vāṅmaya-pāragaḥ: one who has gone to the far shore of vāṅmaya (speech, learning, sacred literature), a consummate scholar

• mat: to/with me

• samasta-tapasā: with complete/entire austerity, in the totality of tapas

• brahman: O Brahman (address to a learned priest/sage)

• purāṇa-śruti-vistaraiḥ: by the breadth/extent of Purāṇic śruti (recitation/authoritative tradition), i.e., vast Purāṇic learning

Speaker

• Śambhu (Śiva)

Entities Mentioned

• Śambhu (Śiva)
• Brahman (addressed sage/priest)
• Purāṇa
• Śruti

Tags

• Purana
• Authority
• Tapas
• Lineage of teaching
• Narration

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya directly; it establishes the authority of the narrator by praising his tapas and extensive Purāṇic learning—an important frame for later cosmological accounts (including creation and dissolution) to be treated as reliable.

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

Indirectly, it emphasizes that dharma-guidance should be received from a qualified teacher—one grounded in tapas and scripture—so that a king or householder follows ethical injunctions based on authentic tradition rather than mere opinion.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No specific Vāstu or temple-building rule is stated here; the ritual significance lies in affirming “purāṇa-śruti” (authoritative recitation), implying that correct rites and technical teachings (including Vāstuvidyā elsewhere in the Matsya Purāṇa) depend on a competent transmitter.