Shloka 5

Matsya Purana — The Maheshvara Vow: Śiva-Caturdaśī Vrata

Devanagari script

*नन्दिकेश्वर उवाच शृणुष्वावहितो ब्रह्मन् वक्ष्ये माहेश्वरं व्रतम् त्रिषु लोकेषु विख्याता नाम्ना शिवचतुर्दशी //

Transliteration

*nandikeśvara uvāca śṛṇuṣvāvahito brahman vakṣye māheśvaraṃ vratam triṣu lokeṣu vikhyātā nāmnā śivacaturdaśī //

Translation

Nandikeśvara said: “Listen attentively, O Brahman; I shall explain the Māheśvara vow. It is renowned throughout the three worlds by the name ‘Śiva-caturdaśī’—the fourteenth day sacred to Śiva.”

Word by Word

• नन्दिकेश्वरः: Nandikeśvara (Śiva’s attendant and teacher)

• उवाच: said

• शृणुष्व: listen

• अवहितः: attentive, focused

• ब्रह्मन्: O Brahman (sage/priestly interlocutor)

• वक्ष्ये: I shall describe/explain

• माहेश्वरम्: belonging to Maheśvara (Śiva), Śaiva

• व्रतम्: vow, religious observance

• त्रिषु: in the three

• लोकेषु: worlds

• विख्याता: well-known, celebrated

• नाम्ना: by name

• शिवचतुर्दशी: Śiva-caturdaśī, the 14th lunar day dedicated to Śiva (often associated with Śivarātri observance).

Speaker

• Nandikeśvara

Entities Mentioned

• Nandikeśvara
• Brahman
• Maheśvara (Śiva)
• Śiva-caturdaśī

Tags

• Vrata
• Shiva
• Ritual
• Dharma
• Tithi

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss pralaya; it introduces a ritual vow (vrata) dedicated to Śiva, emphasizing its fame across the three worlds.

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

It frames the Maheshvara vow as a widely revered observance; in Purāṇic dharma, such vratas are recommended disciplines for householders (and rulers) to cultivate devotion, restraint, and merit through regulated worship.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual significance is explicit: the text announces instruction on the Māheśvara vrata known as Śiva-caturdaśī, indicating a tithi-based Śaiva observance (typically involving fasting, vigil, and Śiva worship in the broader tradition).