Shloka 134

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

Devanagari script

ववन्दे गूढवदना पाणिपद्मकृताञ्जलिः तां विलोक्य महाभागो महर्षिर् अमितद्युतिः //

Transliteration

vavande gūḍhavadanā pāṇipadmakṛtāñjaliḥ tāṃ vilokya mahābhāgo maharṣir amitadyutiḥ //

Translation

With her face modestly veiled, she bowed in reverence, her lotus-like hands joined in añjali. Seeing her, the greatly fortunate sage, of boundless splendor, looked on.

Word by Word

• ववन्दे (vavande): bowed, paid homage

• गूढवदना (gūḍha-vadanā): with veiled/covered face, modest-faced

• पाणिपद्म (pāṇi-padma): lotus-like hands

• कृताञ्जलिः (kṛtāñjaliḥ): having made añjali, hands joined in reverence

• ताम् (tām): her

• विलोक्य (vilokya): having seen, beholding

• महाभागः (mahābhāgaḥ): greatly fortunate, illustrious

• महर्षिः (maharṣiḥ): great sage

• अमितद्युतिः (amitadyutiḥ): of immeasurable radiance/splendor

Speaker

• Narrator (Purāṇic narration, likely Sūta’s voice in the frame-story)

Entities Mentioned

• Mahārṣi (great sage)
• Veiled woman (unnamed, described by posture and modesty)

Tags

• Ritual etiquette
• Añjali gesture
• Iconography cues
• Purāṇic narration
• Vastu/Pratima context

FAQs

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

This verse does not address Pralaya directly; it focuses on devotional decorum—bowing with joined hands—within a sacred or narrative encounter.

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

It models dhārmic conduct: respectful greeting (añjali) and modest demeanor before a venerable person—an ethical norm applicable to householders and rulers alike in Purāṇic teaching.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it highlights the añjali gesture and reverent posture used in worship and temple settings—key elements of proper pūjā etiquette often paired with iconography/ritual instruction in the Matsya Purana.