Shloka 185

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

Devanagari script

यदुक्तं च मया देवी लक्षणैर्वर्जिता तव शृणु तस्यापि वाक्यस्य सम्यक्त्वेन विचारणम् //

Transliteration

yaduktaṃ ca mayā devī lakṣaṇairvarjitā tava śṛṇu tasyāpi vākyasya samyaktvena vicāraṇam //

Translation

O Goddess, hear now a proper and careful examination of that statement too which I previously spoke—namely, that a certain form or description of yours is devoid of the prescribed characteristics.

Word by Word

• yad: that which

• uktaṃ: said/spoken

• ca: and

• mayā: by me

• devī: O Goddess

• lakṣaṇaiḥ: with (prescribed) marks/characteristics

• varjitā: devoid of/omitted from

• tava: of you/your

• śṛṇu: listen

• tasya api: of that also

• vākyasya: of the statement/sentence

• samyaktvena: with correctness/properly

• vicāraṇam: examination, consideration, critical review

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) addressing the Goddess (Devī)

Entities Mentioned

• Devī
• Lord Matsya (implied narrator/speaker)

Tags

• Iconography
• Pratima Lakshana
• Vastu Shastra
• Temple Ritual
• Textual Exegesis

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it focuses on verifying a doctrinal/iconographic statement, emphasizing correct assessment of prescribed characteristics (lakṣaṇas).

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

Indirectly, it supports dharmic duty by insisting on careful, correct scrutiny of authoritative guidance—relevant to patrons (kings/householders) who commission images and rituals to ensure they conform to śāstric standards.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It signals a technical review process in Vastu/Pratimā-śāstra: evaluating whether a deity image or described form lacks required lakṣaṇas, which affects ritual validity and proper temple/icon installation.