Shloka 23

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

Devanagari script

नीलग्रीवाय भीमाय वेधसे वेधसा स्तुते कुमारशत्रुनिघ्नाय कुमारजनकाय च //

Transliteration

nīlagrīvāya bhīmāya vedhase vedhasā stute kumāraśatrunighnāya kumārajanakāya ca //

Translation

Salutations to the Blue-throated One (Nīlagrīva), to Bhīma, to the Creator (Vedhas)—praised by the Creator; and to the slayer of Kumāra’s foes, and to the father of Kumāra.

Word by Word

• nīlagrīvāya: to the Blue-necked (Śiva)

• bhīmāya: to the Terrible/Awe-inspiring One

• vedhase: to the Ordainer/Creator (Lord)

• vedhasā stute: praised by Vedhas (the Creator, i.e., Brahmā)

• kumāra-śatru-nighnāya: to the destroyer of Kumāra’s enemies

• kumāra-janakāya: to the father of Kumāra (Kārttikeya/Skanda)

• ca: and

Speaker

• Purāṇic narrator within a devotional stotra passage (likely Sūta-style narration presenting a Śiva-stuti embedded in the chapter)

Entities Mentioned

• Śiva (Nīlagrīva/Bhīma)
• Brahmā (Vedhas)
• Kumāra (Skanda/Kārttikeya)

Tags

• Shiva Stuti
• Rudra Epithets
• Skanda
• Puranic Hymns
• Devotional Recitation

FAQs

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

It does not directly describe pralaya; it emphasizes Śiva’s cosmic lordship—sovereign enough to be praised even by the Creator (Brahmā), implying supremacy over creation’s processes.

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

As a stotra-verse, it models daily dharmic practice: praise and remembrance of the deity through recognized epithets, supporting mental discipline, humility, and auspiciousness for household and royal rites.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The verse is primarily liturgical (stuti). In ritual usage, such epithets function as nāma-invocations in pūjā and japa, aligning the worshipper with Śiva’s forms (e.g., Nīlagrīva) during consecration and daily worship.