Shloka 51

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

Devanagari script

यच्चाहमुक्तवान्यस्या ह्य् उत्तानकरता सदा उत्तानो वरदः पाणिर् एष देव्याः सदैव तु //

Transliteration

yaccāhamuktavānyasyā hy uttānakaratā sadā uttāno varadaḥ pāṇir eṣa devyāḥ sadaiva tu //

Translation

And what I have stated regarding her—that her hand should always be held with the palm turned upward—this upturned hand of the Goddess is indeed ever the boon-bestowing (varada) hand.

Word by Word

• yat ca: and that which

• aham: I

• uktavān: have said

• yasyāḥ: of whom/for which (Goddess)

• hi: indeed

• uttāna-karatā: the state of having the hand turned upward (open palm)

• sadā: always

• uttānaḥ: upturned/open (palm)

• varadaḥ: boon-giving

• pāṇiḥ: hand

• eṣaḥ: this

• devyāḥ: of the Goddess

• sadā eva: always indeed

• tu: and/indeed.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Devī (the Goddess)

Tags

• Iconography
• Pratima Lakshana
• Mudra
• Varada
• Matsya Purana Vastu Shastra tips

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it belongs to iconographic instruction, defining the Goddess’s upturned palm as the varada (boon-giving) gesture.

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

It guides patronage and correct commissioning of sacred images: a king/householder should ensure mūrti features follow śāstric marks so worship is performed with proper form and intent.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It specifies a key pratīmā-lakṣaṇa: the Goddess’s hand should be uttāna (open, upturned), signifying varada-hasta—an essential sculptural and ritual identifier in temple imagery.