Shloka 3

Matsya Purana — The Maheshvara Vow: Śiva-Caturdaśī Vrata

Devanagari script

धर्मो ऽयं वृषरूपेण नन्दी नाम गणाधिपः धर्मान्माहेश्वरान् वक्ष्यत् यतःप्रभृति नारद //

Transliteration

dharmo 'yaṃ vṛṣarūpeṇa nandī nāma gaṇādhipaḥ dharmānmāheśvarān vakṣyat yataḥprabhṛti nārada //

Translation

This very Dharma, taking the form of a bull, is Nandī, the lord of Śiva’s attendants. From this point onward, O Nārada, he will expound the Maheśvara-dharmas—the duties and observances pertaining to Lord Maheśvara.

Word by Word

• dharmaḥ: Dharma, righteousness

• ayam: this (very one)

• vṛṣa-rūpeṇa: in the form of a bull

• nandī nāma: named Nandī

• gaṇa-adhipaḥ: lord of the gaṇas (Śiva’s attendants)

• māheśvarān dharmān: the Maheśvara-related duties/observances (Śaiva dharmas)

• vakṣyat: will declare/teach

• yataḥ-prabhṛti: from this point onward

• nārada: O Nārada

Speaker

• Sūta (narrator) describing the transition to Nandī’s instruction to Nārada

Entities Mentioned

• Dharma
• Vṛṣa (Bull)
• Nandī
• Gaṇas
• Maheśvara (Śiva)
• Nārada

Tags

• Dharma
• Shaivism
• Nandi
• Maheśvara-dharma
• Puranic discourse

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it marks a doctrinal transition into Maheśvara-dharma, identifying Nandī (bull-form) with Dharma as the authority for Śaiva observances.

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

By announcing Maheśvara-dharmas, it frames a set of righteous observances (vows, worship, conduct) that householders—and rulers as exemplars—may adopt to align governance and daily life with Dharma under Śiva’s tradition.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Architectural rules are not stated here; the ritual significance is the authorization of Śaiva practice: Nandī, as Dharma embodied, becomes the teacher who will prescribe Maheśvara-oriented rites and disciplines.