Shloka 77

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

Devanagari script

त्वं भूरिति विशां माता शूद्रैः शैवीति पूजिता क्षान्तिर्मुनीनामक्षोभ्या दया नियमिनामिति //

Transliteration

tvaṃ bhūriti viśāṃ mātā śūdraiḥ śaivīti pūjitā kṣāntirmunīnāmakṣobhyā dayā niyamināmiti //

Translation

You are praised as Bhū—the Earth—and as the mother of the Vaiśyas; among the Śūdras you are worshipped as Śaivī. Among sages you are the unshakable virtue of forbearance (kṣānti), and among the self-restrained you are compassion (dayā).

Word by Word

• त्वम् (tvam): you

• भूः (bhūḥ): Earth, Bhū-devī

• इति (iti): thus/so (as called)

• विशाम् (viśām): of the Vaiśyas/people of the mercantile-agricultural order

• माता (mātā): mother

• शूद्रैः (śūdraiḥ): by the Śūdras

• शैवी (śaivī): Śaiva/Śiva-related goddess, Śaivī (a revered form/name)

• पूजिता (pūjitā): worshipped/honoured

• क्षान्तिः (kṣāntiḥ): patience, forbearance

• मुनीनाम् (munīnām): of sages

• अक्षोभ्या (akṣobhyā): unagitated, unshakable

• दया (dayā): compassion, mercy

• नियमिनाम् (niyaminām): of the self-disciplined/observant of restraints

• इति (iti): thus (as identified).

Speaker

• Sūta (narratorial voice) presenting a stuti-style identification of Devī/Bhū through virtues (contextual attribution within the Purāṇic discourse)

Entities Mentioned

• Bhū (Earth Goddess)
• Śaivī
• Vaiśya
• Śūdra
• Munis (sages)
• Niyamins (self-restrained practitioners)

Tags

• Dharma
• Stuti
• Bhūdevī
• Virtues
• Kṣānti
• Dayā

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya or cosmology; it is an ethical-stuti passage that identifies the divine presence through virtues like kṣānti (forbearance) and dayā (compassion) across communities and disciplines.

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

It elevates kṣānti and dayā as foundational dharmic qualities: a king should remain akṣobhya (unprovoked and steady) in judgment, while a householder should practice compassion and restraint (niyama) toward dependents and society.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual takeaway is devotional: the divine is worshipped under different names (Bhū, Śaivī) by different groups, implying that pūjā can be adapted in name and emphasis while preserving core virtues; no direct Vāstu or temple-construction rule is stated in this verse.