Shloka 6

Matsya Purana — The Ravi-Śayana

Devanagari script

उमापते रवेर्वापि न भेदो दृश्यते क्वचित् यस्मात्तस्मान्मुनिश्रेष्ठ गृहे शम्भुं समर्चयेत् //

Transliteration

umāpate ravervāpi na bhedo dṛśyate kvacit yasmāttasmānmuniśreṣṭha gṛhe śambhuṃ samarcayet //

Translation

O best of sages, no distinction is ever perceived between Umāpati (Śiva) and Ravi (the Sun). Therefore, for that reason, one should duly worship Śambhu (Śiva) within one’s home.

Word by Word

• umāpate: O lord of Umā (Śiva)

• raveḥ vā api: and also of Ravi (the Sun)

• na: not

• bhedaḥ: difference/distinction

• dṛśyate: is seen/perceived

• kvacit: anywhere/ever

• yasmāt: because/since

• tasmāt: therefore

• muni-śreṣṭha: O best among sages

• gṛhe: in the house/home

• śambhum: Śambhu (Śiva)

• samarcayet: should worship properly/reverently.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu / a leading sage)

Entities Mentioned

• Umāpati (Shiva)
• Ravi (Surya)
• Śambhu (Shiva)

Tags

• Griha Puja
• Shaiva-Saurya Unity
• Householder Dharma
• Ritual Worship
• Matsya Purana Vastuvidya

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya directly; it teaches theological unity—Śiva and the Sun are regarded as non-different—within a household-ritual context.

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

It supports gṛhastha-dharma by prescribing regular domestic worship: recognizing the unity of major deities, one should establish disciplined home-ritual practice by worshipping Śiva (Śambhu) in the house.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it authorizes household śiva-arcana (home worship of Śiva) grounded in the equivalence of Śiva and Sūrya; by implication for Vastu/ritual layout, it validates placing a Śiva focus in domestic sacred space.