Shloka 26

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

Devanagari script

वृषध्वजाय मुण्डाय जटिने ब्रह्मचारिणे तप्यमानाय सलिले ब्रह्मण्यायाजिताय च //

Transliteration

vṛṣadhvajāya muṇḍāya jaṭine brahmacāriṇe tapyamānāya salile brahmaṇyāyājitāya ca //

Translation

Salutations to the Bull-bannered Lord; to the shaven-headed ascetic; to the matted-haired one; to the brahmacārin, the celibate student of Brahman; to Him who performs austerities in water; to the protector of sacred tradition; and to the Unconquered.

Word by Word

• vṛṣa-dhvajāya: to the one whose banner bears the bull

• muṇḍāya: to the shaven-headed one (ascetic)

• jaṭine: to the matted-haired one

• brahmacāriṇe: to the celibate religious student/observer of brahmacarya

• tapyamānāya: to the one engaged in austerity (performing tapas)

• salile: in water

• brahmaṇyāya: to the pious upholder/protector of Brahmanical sacred order

• ajitāya: to the unconquered

• ca: and

Speaker

• Narratorial/recitational voice within a Shiva-stotra context (hymn portion of the Matsya Purana)

Entities Mentioned

• Rudra (Shiva)
• Vrishadhvaja (Bull-bannered Shiva)

Tags

• Shiva Stotra
• Iconography
• Asceticism
• Ritual Praise
• Dharma

FAQs

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

This verse is not a Pralaya narrative; it is a devotional salutation describing Shiva’s ascetic and invincible nature, emphasizing tapas (austerity) rather than cosmic dissolution.

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

By praising Shiva as brahmaṇya (upholder of sacred order) and as a model of self-restraint (brahmacarya, tapas), the verse indirectly commends virtues expected of rulers and householders: discipline, protection of dharma, and reverence for sacred tradition.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it functions as a mantra-like sequence of epithets for worship (stotra/japa), useful in Shiva-puja; iconographically, it cues Shiva’s forms—bull-emblem, ascetic shaven or austere aspect, and jaṭā (matted locks)—guiding how he may be envisaged in worship and representation.