Shloka 19

Matsya Purana — The Nakṣatra-Puruṣa Vrata: Worship of Viṣṇu’s Cosmic Body through the Lunar M...

Devanagari script

बुद्धाय शान्ताय नमो ललाटं चित्रासु संपूज्यतमं मुरारेः शिरो ऽभिपूज्यं भरणीषु विष्णोर् नमो ऽस्तु विश्वेश्वर कल्किरूपिणे //

Transliteration

buddhāya śāntāya namo lalāṭaṃ citrāsu saṃpūjyatamaṃ murāreḥ śiro 'bhipūjyaṃ bharaṇīṣu viṣṇor namo 'stu viśveśvara kalkirūpiṇe //

Translation

Homage to the Buddha-form, the tranquil one. In the Citrā nakṣatra, Murāri’s forehead is most worthy of worship. In the Bharaṇī nakṣatra, Viṣṇu’s head is to be specially worshipped. Salutations to the Lord of the universe, who takes the form of Kalki.

Word by Word

• buddhāya: to Buddha (the enlightened incarnation)

• śāntāya: to the peaceful/tranquil one

• namaḥ: salutations

• lalāṭam: the forehead

• citrāsu: in (the asterism) Citrā

• saṃpūjya-tamam: most fit to be worshipped, supremely worship-worthy

• murāreḥ: of Murāri (Viṣṇu, slayer of Mura)

• śiraḥ: the head

• abhipūjyam: to be especially worshipped

• bharaṇīṣu: in (the asterism) Bharaṇī

• viṣṇoḥ: of Viṣṇu

• namaḥ astu: may there be salutations

• viśveśvara: Lord of the universe

• kalki-rūpiṇe: to him whose form is Kalki (future avatāra).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (as narrator/teacher of Purāṇic ritual-iconographic details) to Vaivasvata Manu

Entities Mentioned

• Vishnu
• Murari
• Buddha (avatara)
• Kalki
• Citra (nakshatra)
• Bharani (nakshatra)

Tags

• Iconography
• Stuti
• Vishnu Avatara
• Nakshatra
• Ritual Worship

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it is a ritual-stuti verse mapping Viṣṇu’s worship (forehead/head) to specific nakṣatras and invoking avatāra-forms (Buddha, Kalki).

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

It supports dharmic duty through regulated devotion: a king or householder is guided to perform Viṣṇu-worship with auspicious timing (nakṣatra-based observance) and right contemplation of divine forms, reinforcing public and private piety.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it indicates nakṣatra-based worship and aṅga-pūjā (venerating specific limbs such as forehead and head). Such prescriptions inform temple calendrics, festival scheduling, and image-worship procedures in Purāṇic practice.