Shloka 7

Matsya Purana — The Observance of Viśoka-Dvādaśī: A Lakṣmī–Viṣṇu Vow for Sorrow-Removal and P...

Devanagari script

कन्दर्पाय नमो गुह्यं माधवाय नमः कटिम् दामोदरायेत्युदरं पार्श्वे च विपुलाय वै //

Transliteration

kandarpāya namo guhyaṃ mādhavāya namaḥ kaṭim dāmodarāyetyudaraṃ pārśve ca vipulāya vai //

Translation

One should place (the mantra) “Obeisance to Kandarpāya” upon the secret part; “Obeisance to Mādhava” upon the waist; “(Obeisance) to Dāmodara” upon the belly; and upon the sides, indeed, “(Obeisance) to Vipula.”

Word by Word

• कन्दर्पाय (kandarpāya): to Kandarpāya (a name/epithet invoked in nyāsa)

• नमः (namaḥ): obeisance/salutation

• गुह्यम् (guhyam): the secret part (genitals)

• माधवाय (mādhavāya): to Mādhava (Vishnu)

• कटिम् (kaṭim): the waist/hips

• दामोदराय (dāmodarāya): to Dāmodara (Vishnu, ‘he who has a cord around the belly’)

• इति (iti): thus

• उदरम् (udaram): the belly/abdomen

• पार्श्वे (pārśve): on the sides/flanks

• च (ca): and

• विपुलाय (vipulāya): to Vipula (the Vast/Abundant one

• वै (vai): indeed/assuredly.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (instructing Vaivasvata Manu on Vishnu-worship procedures)

Entities Mentioned

• Kandarpāya
• Mādhava
• Dāmodara
• Vipula
• Vishnu

Tags

• Vishnu Mantras
• Anga-nyasa
• Ritual Procedure
• Iconography
• Protective Rites

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe pralaya directly; it teaches a ritual nyāsa—placing divine names on body-points—for protection and sanctification, a practice often recommended to remain spiritually guarded in any circumstance.

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

It functions as a practical daily-worship instruction: a king or householder is advised to perform protective Vishnu-nyāsa before rites, supporting self-discipline (śauca), steadiness of mind, and dharmic conduct.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual, not architectural: it is an anga-nyāsa sequence mapping specific Vishnu epithets to specific body regions, a standard preparatory step before pūjā, japa, consecrations, and temple/household rituals.