Shloka 12

Matsya Purana — The Observance of Ananta-Tritiya

Devanagari script

ऊरू मङ्गलकारिण्यै वामदेव्यै तथा कटिम् पद्मोदरायै जठरम् उरः कामश्रियै नमः //

Transliteration

ūrū maṅgalakāriṇyai vāmadevyai tathā kaṭim padmodarāyai jaṭharam uraḥ kāmaśriyai namaḥ //

Translation

Salutations to the thighs that bestow auspiciousness; to Vāmadevī at the left side; likewise to the waist. Salutations to the belly that is lotus-like; to the abdomen; and to the chest that is the splendor of Kāma (beauty and attraction).

Word by Word

• ūrū: thighs

• maṅgala-kāriṇyai: to the (feminine) bestower of auspiciousness

• vāmadevyai: to the lovely/left-sided divine aspect

• tathā: likewise

• kaṭim: the waist

• padma-udarāyai: to the lotus-bellied (one)/having a belly like a lotus

• jaṭharam: the belly/abdomen

• uraḥ: the chest

• kāma-śriyai: to the beauty/splendor that awakens desire (attractive radiance)

• namaḥ: salutation.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (instructing Vaivasvata Manu on devotional procedure and iconographic salutation)

Entities Mentioned

• Vāmadeva
• Śrī (beauty/splendor)
• Padma (lotus motif)

Tags

• Iconography
• Pratima Lakshana
• Ritual
• Nyasa
• Devotional Worship

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe pralaya; it focuses on ritualized veneration of the deity’s limbs, a devotional-iconographic practice rather than cosmology.

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

It supports the householder/kingly duty of sustaining dharma through proper worship—offering reverent, ordered salutations to the deity’s form as part of daily or ceremonial pūjā.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it exemplifies aṅga-namaskāra/nyāsa-style worship used alongside iconographic standards (pratimā-lakṣaṇa), guiding how the deity’s body is contemplated and honored during temple or home pūjā.