Shloka 37

Matsya Purana — The Maheshvara Vow: Śiva-Caturdaśī Vrata

Devanagari script

भवत्यमरवल्लभः पठति यः स्मरेद्वा सदा शृणोत्यपि विमत्सरः सकलपापनिर्मोचनीम् इमां शिवचतुर्दशीममरकामिनीकोटयः स्तुवन्ति तमनिन्दितं किमु समाचरेद्यः सदा //

Transliteration

bhavatyamaravallabhaḥ paṭhati yaḥ smaredvā sadā śṛṇotyapi vimatsaraḥ sakalapāpanirmocanīm imāṃ śivacaturdaśīmamarakāminīkoṭayaḥ stuvanti tamaninditaṃ kimu samācaredyaḥ sadā //

Translation

O beloved of the gods, whoever—free from envy—recites, remembers, or even continually hears this Śiva-caturdaśī, the remover of all sins, becomes worthy of praise; millions of celestial maidens extol that blameless person—how much more, then, one who always practices it in full?

Word by Word

• amaravallabhaḥ: O beloved of the gods (epithet of the addressee)

• yaḥ: whoever

• paṭhati: recites

• smaret vā: or remembers

• sadā: always/constantly

• śṛṇoti api: even hears

• vimatsaraḥ: free from envy/jealousy

• sakala: all

• pāpa: sins

• nirmocanīm: that which releases/removes

• imām: this

• śiva-caturdaśīm: the Śiva fourteenth-day observance (Śivarātri-related vrata)

• amara: celestial/divine

• kāminī: maiden/beloved woman

• koṭayaḥ: crores/millions

• stuvanti: praise

• tam: him/that person

• aninditam: blameless, not to be censured

• kimu: how much more (certainly)

• samācaret: should observe/practice (properly)

• yaḥ: who

• sadā: always

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Śiva-caturdaśī (Śivarātri vrata)
• Amaras (gods/celestials)
• Celestial maidens (amara-kāminīs)

Tags

• Vrata
• Śivarātri
• Śiva-caturdaśī
• Punya
• Dharma

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it teaches the sin-destroying merit of Śiva-caturdaśī through recitation, remembrance, and hearing.

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

It frames a practical dharma for householders and rulers alike: cultivate non-envy (vimatsaratā) and gain spiritual merit through śravaṇa/smaraṇa/pāṭha and regular vrata-observance.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual emphasis is on Śiva-caturdaśī (Śivarātri-related vrata) and the graded efficacy of practice—hearing, remembering, reciting, and fully observing—rather than any Vāstu or temple-building rule.