Shloka 4

Matsya Purana — The Observance of Ananta-Tritiya

Devanagari script

*ईश्वर उवाच शृणुष्वावहिता देवि तथैवानन्तपुण्यकृत् नराणामथ नारीणाम् आराधनमनुत्तमम् //

Transliteration

*īśvara uvāca śṛṇuṣvāvahitā devi tathaivānantapuṇyakṛt narāṇāmatha nārīṇām ārādhanamanuttamam //

Translation

Īśvara said: “Listen with full attention, O Goddess, to that unsurpassed mode of worship—an endless source of merit—for both men and women.”

Word by Word

• īśvaraḥ uvāca: the Lord said

• śṛṇuṣva: listen

• avahitā: attentive, composed

• devi: O Goddess

• tathā eva: just so, indeed

• ananta-puṇya-kṛt: producing limitless merit

• narāṇām: of men

• atha: and then/also

• nārīṇām: of women

• ārādhanam: worship, devotional propitiation

• anuttamam: unsurpassed, supreme

Speaker

• Īśvara (the Lord, as narrator/speaker within the dialogue)

Entities Mentioned

• Īśvara
• Devī

Tags

• Dharma
• Worship
• Vrata
• Devī
• Merit

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss pralaya directly; it introduces a superior form of worship that yields inexhaustible merit, indicating the Purana’s emphasis on dharma and devotional practice rather than cosmology in this passage.

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

It frames worship (ārādhanā) as a universal duty for both men and women—supporting the householder ideal in the Matsya Purana, where regular devotion and merit-making rites are foundational ethical obligations regardless of social role.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vastu or temple-measurement rule appears in this verse; its ritual significance is introductory—announcing an “unsurpassed” worship procedure that the following verses are expected to detail.