Shloka 16

Matsya Purana — The Ravi-Śayana

Devanagari script

नमो ऽस्तु पाशाङ्कुशशूलपद्मकपालसर्पेन्दुधनुर्धराय गजासुरानङ्गपुरान्धकादिविनाशमूलाय नमः शिवाय //

Transliteration

namo 'stu pāśāṅkuśaśūlapadmakapālasarpendudhanurdharāya gajāsurānaṅgapurāndhakādivināśamūlāya namaḥ śivāya //

Translation

Salutations to Śiva, who bears the noose (pāśa), the goad (aṅkuśa), the trident (śūla), the lotus (padma), the skull (kapāla), the serpent (sarpa), the moon (indu), and the bow (dhanu); who is the root-cause of the destruction of Gajāsura, of the city of Kāma (Ananga), and of Andhaka and others. Salutations to Śiva.

Word by Word

• namo 'stu: salutation be

• pāśa: noose

• aṅkuśa: elephant-goad

• śūla: trident

• padma: lotus

• kapāla: skull (skull-bowl emblem)

• sarpa: serpent

• indu: moon

• dhanus-dhara: bow-bearer

• gajāsura: the demon Gajāsura

• anaṅga-pura: the city/abode associated with Ananga (Kāma)

• andhaka: the demon Andhaka

• ādi: and other (such beings)

• vināśa: destruction

• mūla: root, primary cause

• namaḥ śivāya: homage to Śiva.

Speaker

• Purāṇic narrator (likely Sūta) presenting a Śiva-stuti within the chapter’s discourse

Entities Mentioned

• Shiva
• Gajāsura
• Ananga (Kāma)
• Andhaka
• Moon (Indu)
• Serpent (Sarpa)

Tags

• Shiva Stuti
• Iconography
• Divine Weapons
• Purāṇic Hymn
• Ritual Praise

FAQs

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

It does not describe cosmic pralaya directly; it praises Śiva as the decisive power that brings destruction to demonic forces—an ethical-cosmic theme of removing adharma rather than dissolving the universe.

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

By portraying Śiva as the destroyer of oppressive forces, it supports the Purāṇic ideal that rulers and householders should protect dharma, restrain violence and arrogance, and uphold order—mirroring the divine role of removing adharma.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it functions as a mantra-like stuti suitable for Śiva-pūjā; iconographically, it lists Śiva’s identifying emblems (āyudhas and lakṣaṇas) useful for temple-image recognition and pratima-lakṣaṇa based worship.