Shloka 109

Matsya Purana — The Strategy to Defeat Tāraka: Pārvatī’s Birth

Devanagari script

देवगन्धर्वनागेन्द्रशैलशीलावनीगुणैः हिमशैलसुता देवी स्वयंपूर्विकया ततः //

Transliteration

devagandharvanāgendraśailaśīlāvanīguṇaiḥ himaśailasutā devī svayaṃpūrvikayā tataḥ //

Translation

Then the Goddess, the daughter of the Himālaya, appeared of her own accord, endowed with the qualities of the gods, Gandharvas, the lordly Nāgas, mountains, noble conduct, and the earth itself.

Word by Word

• deva: gods/divinities

• gandharva: celestial musicians

• nāga-indra: lord of the Nāgas (chief serpent beings)

• śaila: mountain

• śīla: character, noble conduct

• avanī: the earth

• guṇaiḥ: with qualities/attributes

• hima-śaila-sutā: daughter of the Himālaya (Pārvatī)

• devī: the Goddess

• svayam: by herself, of her own accord

• pūrvikayā: in a prior/foremost manner, as one who precedes (i.e., manifesting first or independently)

• tataḥ: then/thereupon

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in dialogue framework with Vaivasvata Manu; narrative voice continues the description)

Entities Mentioned

• Himashaila-sutā (Pārvatī)
• Devas
• Gandharvas
• Nāgas

Tags

• Iconography
• Devi
• Pratima Lakshana
• Vastu Shastra
• Divine Attributes

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it focuses on divine manifestation—describing the Goddess (Himālaya’s daughter) as self-manifesting and endowed with multiple cosmic and celestial qualities.

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

Indirectly, it supports dharmic living by presenting the Goddess as the embodiment of noble conduct (śīla) and stabilizing qualities (earth/mountain symbolism), ideals a king or householder is expected to cultivate—steadfastness, restraint, and reverence for the divine.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The verse functions as a descriptive cue for Devi iconography: her form is to be conceived with ‘guṇas’ associated with gods and cosmic supports (earth/mountain), aligning with Matsya Purana-style pratima-lakshana thinking used in temple image design and worship visualization.