Shloka 27

Matsya Purana — The Maheshvara Vow: Śiva-Caturdaśī Vrata

Devanagari script

कृत्वा नीलवृषोत्सर्गं श्रुत्युक्तविधिना नरः उमामहेश्वरं हैमं वृषभं च गवा सह //

Transliteration

kṛtvā nīlavṛṣotsargaṃ śrutyuktavidhinā naraḥ umāmaheśvaraṃ haimaṃ vṛṣabhaṃ ca gavā saha //

Translation

Having performed the rite of releasing a blue bull according to the procedure taught in the Vedas, a man attains Umā and Maheśvara, along with a golden bull and cows.

Word by Word

• कृत्वा: having done/performed

• नील-वृष-उत्सर्गम्: the ceremonial release (utsarga) of a blue bull

• श्रुति-उक्त-विधिना: by the method enjoined in Śruti (Vedic injunction)

• नरः: a man/person

• उमा-महेश्वरम्: Umā and Maheśvara (Śiva)

• हैमम्: golden, made of gold

• वृषभम्: bull

• च: and

• गवा सह: together with cows.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu (narrative voice mediated by Sūta)

Entities Mentioned

• Umā
• Maheśvara (Śiva)
• Nīlavṛṣa (blue bull)
• Śruti (Vedic injunction)

Tags

• Dana
• Vrata
• Ritual procedure
• Śaiva merit
• Vedic injunction

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya; it focuses on a Vedicly sanctioned donation-rite (nīlavṛṣotsarga) and the spiritual fruit promised from that ritual act.

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

It frames dāna and properly performed rites as a core householder duty: gifts and releases are to be done strictly by śruti-approved procedure, and such regulated charity is presented as a means to gain religious merit and divine favor.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual significance is explicit: the bull-release must follow śrutyukta-vidhi (Vedic injunction). The verse also implies iconographic/ritual gifting (a ‘golden bull’ and cows) as sanctioned offerings connected with Śiva-Umā devotion.