Shloka 9

Matsya Purana — The Sarasvata Vrata: Vow for Sweet Speech

Devanagari script

लक्ष्मीर्मेधा धरा पुष्टिर् गौरी तुष्टिः प्रभा मतिः एताभिः पाहि चाष्टाभिस् तनुभिर्मां सरस्वति //

Transliteration

lakṣmīrmedhā dharā puṣṭir gaurī tuṣṭiḥ prabhā matiḥ etābhiḥ pāhi cāṣṭābhis tanubhirmāṃ sarasvati //

Translation

O Sarasvatī, protect me with these eight embodied forms: Lakṣmī (prosperity), Medhā (intelligence), Dharā (supporting power/earth), Puṣṭi (nourishment), Gaurī (radiant auspiciousness), Tuṣṭi (contentment), Prabhā (splendour), and Mati (right understanding).

Word by Word

• लक्ष्मीः (lakṣmīḥ): prosperity, fortune

• मेधा (medhā): intellect, retentive intelligence

• धरा (dharā): the supporter, earth/sustaining power

• पुष्टिः (puṣṭiḥ): nourishment, flourishing

• गौरी (gaurī): the fair/auspicious goddess-form, radiance

• तुष्टिः (tuṣṭiḥ): satisfaction, contentment

• प्रभा (prabhā): splendour, luminous brilliance

• मतिः (matiḥ): thought, discernment

• एताभिः (etābhiḥ): with these (feminine forms)

• पाहि (pāhi): protect

• च (ca): and

• अष्टाभिः (aṣṭābhiḥ): with eight

• तनुभिः (tanubhiḥ): bodies/forms/manifestations

• माम् (mām): me

• सरस्वति (sarasvati): O Sarasvatī.

Speaker

• A devotee/narratorial prayer-voice within the Matsya Purana (stuti addressed to Goddess Sarasvatī)

Entities Mentioned

• Sarasvatī
• Lakṣmī
• Medhā
• Dharā
• Puṣṭi
• Gaurī
• Tuṣṭi
• Prabhā
• Mati

Tags

• Sarasvati Stotra
• Devī Upāsanā
• Aṣṭa-tanū
• Dharma
• Mantra-like Praise

FAQs

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

This verse is not a Pralaya narrative; it is a devotional invocation asking Sarasvatī to protect the devotee through eight auspicious powers (intelligence, prosperity, nourishment, radiance, etc.).

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

It supports dharmic life indirectly: a king or householder is urged to cultivate medhā (clear intelligence), mati (sound judgment), tuṣṭi (contentment), and puṣṭi (well-being), which are essential for righteous governance, learning, and stable household prosperity.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it functions as a stuti suitable for recitation before study, counsel, or ceremonies seeking auspiciousness; it does not state specific Vāstu or temple-building rules, but invokes divine qualities often sought at the start of rites.