Shloka 18

Matsya Purana — The Terror of Tripura and the Gods’ Hymn to Śiva

Devanagari script

तं भवं भूतभव्येशं गिरिशं शूलपाणिनम् पश्यन्ति चोमया सार्धं नन्दिना च महात्मना //

Transliteration

taṃ bhavaṃ bhūtabhavyeśaṃ giriśaṃ śūlapāṇinam paśyanti comayā sārdhaṃ nandinā ca mahātmanā //

Translation

They behold Bhava—Lord of what has been and what will be—Girīśa, the Mountain-Lord, bearing the trident in his hand, together with Umā, and also with the great-souled Nandin.

Word by Word

• tam: him

• bhavam: Bhava (Shiva)

• bhūta-bhavya-īśam: the Lord of the past and the future (of all beings/time)

• giri-īśam: Girisha, Lord of the mountain

• śūla-pāṇinam: trident-in-handed, bearing a spear/trident

• paśyanti: they see, behold

• ca: and

• umayā sārdham: together with Uma (Parvati)

• nandinā ca: and with Nandin

• mahātmanā: great-souled, noble

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) describing a theophanic vision (darshana) within the Matsya Purana’s narrative flow

Entities Mentioned

• Bhava (Shiva)
• Bhūtabhavyeśa
• Girisha
• Shūlapāṇi (trident-bearer Shiva)
• Uma (Parvati)
• Nandin

Tags

• Shiva
• Uma
• Nandin
• Iconography
• Darshana

FAQs

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

It does not narrate Pralaya directly; instead it identifies Shiva as Bhūtabhavyeśa—Lord over past and future—implying sovereignty over cosmic time that includes creation, preservation, and dissolution.

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

By portraying the ideal of darśana (reverent beholding) of the deity with his divine consort and attendant, the verse supports Purāṇic dharma where rulers and householders uphold worship, patronize temples, and cultivate devotion to ensure social order and auspiciousness.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The verse highlights Shiva’s canonical markers—trident (śūla), presence of Umā, and Nandin—key cues for pratīmā-lakṣaṇa (iconographic identification) and for ritual/temple planning traditions that place Nandin in relation to Shiva’s shrine.