Shloka 20

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

Devanagari script

चन्द्रावयवलक्ष्माणं चन्द्रसौम्यतराननम् आगम्य तमजं देवम् अथ तं नीललोहितम् अस्तुवन्गोपतिं शम्भुं वरदं पार्वतीपतिम् //

Transliteration

candrāvayavalakṣmāṇaṃ candrasaumyatarānanam āgamya tamajaṃ devam atha taṃ nīlalohitam astuvangopatiṃ śambhuṃ varadaṃ pārvatīpatim //

Translation

Approaching that unborn God, marked with the auspicious signs of the moon and with a face made yet more gentle by the moon, they praised Nīlalohita—Śambhu, Lord of beings, bestower of boons, the husband of Pārvatī.

Word by Word

• चन्द्र (candra): moon

• अवयव (avayava): limbs/parts

• लक्ष्माणम् (lakṣmāṇam): bearing marks/signs/auspicious characteristics

• चन्द्र-सौम्यतर (candra-saumyatara): even more gentle/serene due to the moon

• आननम् (ānanam): face

• आगम्य (āgamya): having approached

• तम् (tam): him/that

• अजम् (ajam): unborn

• देवम् (devam): god

• अथ (atha): then/thereupon

• नीललोहितम् (nīlalohitam): the blue-and-reddish one (epithet of Śiva)

• अस्तुवन् (astuvan): they praised/eulogized

• गोपतिम् (gopatिम्): lord/protector of beings (lit. protector of cows/creatures)

• शम्भुम् (śambhum): Śambhu (beneficent Śiva)

• वरदम् (varadam): boon-giver

• पार्वतीपतिम् (pārvatīpatim): husband/lord of Pārvatī

Speaker

• Narrator (Purāṇic narrator describing sages/devotees praising Śiva; likely framed by Sūta’s narration in the Matsya Purāṇa)

Entities Mentioned

• Shiva
• Nīlalohita
• Śambhu
• Pārvatī
• Candra (Moon)

Tags

• Shiva Stuti
• Iconography
• Epithets
• Devotional Hymn
• Boon-bestowal

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it is a devotional description of Śiva’s auspicious iconographic features (moon-marked serenity) and his role as a boon-giver.

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

Indirectly, it models dharmic conduct through stuti (reverent praise) and seeking blessings from a righteous deity (Śambhu as varada), a common Purāṇic guideline for rulers and householders before undertaking vows, rituals, or governance.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it functions as a stotra-style praise used in worship; iconographically, it highlights identifying lakṣaṇas of Śiva (moon-associated auspiciousness; Nīlalohita), useful for pratimā-lakṣaṇa and temple image description.