Shloka 35

Matsya Purana — The Maheshvara Vow: Śiva-Caturdaśī Vrata

Devanagari script

दीर्घायुरारोग्यकुलान्नवृद्धिर् अत्राक्षयामुत्र चतुर्भुजत्वम् गणाधिपत्यं दिवि कल्पकोटिशतान्युषित्वा पदमेति शम्भोः //

Transliteration

dīrghāyurārogyakulānnavṛddhir atrākṣayāmutra caturbhujatvam gaṇādhipatyaṃ divi kalpakoṭiśatānyuṣitvā padameti śambhoḥ //

Translation

Here (in this life) he gains long life, freedom from disease, and increase of family and sustenance (prosperity); here he becomes undecaying, and hereafter he attains a four-armed form. Having dwelt in heaven for hundreds of crores of kalpas as a lord of Śiva’s gaṇas, he finally reaches the supreme abode of Śambhu (Śiva).

Word by Word

• दीर्घायुः: long life

• आरोग्य: health, freedom from disease

• कुल: family/lineage

• अन्न: food, sustenance

• वृद्धि: increase, prosperity

• अत्र: here (in this world)

• अक्षय: undecaying, imperishable

• अमुत्र: there (in the next world)

• चतुर्भुजत्वम्: four-armed state/form

• गणाधिपत्यम्: lordship over the gaṇas (Śiva’s attendants)

• दिवि: in heaven

• कल्प: cosmic aeon

• कोटि: crore (ten million)

• शतानि: hundreds

• उषित्वा: having dwelt/lived

• पदम्: abode/state

• एति: attains, reaches

• शम्भोः: of Śambhu (Śiva)

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in dialogue with Vaivasvata Manu), presenting phala-śruti style results

Entities Mentioned

• Śambhu (Śiva)
• Śiva-gaṇas

Tags

• Śiva-bhakti
• Phala-śruti
• Heaven (Svarga)
• Liberation/Abode of Śiva
• Merit of worship

FAQs

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

It does not discuss pralaya directly; it teaches a karmic-afterlife sequence—worldly merit, heavenly enjoyment for vast periods, and ultimate attainment of Śambhu’s abode.

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

It frames righteous worship and dharmic conduct as producing tangible household aims—health, longevity, prosperity, and lineage growth—while also aiming beyond them toward higher spiritual attainment.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No specific Vāstu or temple-rule is stated; the verse functions as a ritual “phala-śruti,” promising defined spiritual rewards for Śiva-oriented worship/observance.