Shloka 10

Matsya Purana — Uma’s Austerities and the Slaying of the Deceiver Asura ĀḌi

Devanagari script

शैशिरासु च रात्रीषु शुष्कस्थण्डिलशायिनी एवं साधयती तत्र तपसा संव्यवस्थिता //

Transliteration

śaiśirāsu ca rātrīṣu śuṣkasthaṇḍilaśāyinī evaṃ sādhayatī tatra tapasā saṃvyavasthitā //

Translation

And on the wintry nights, lying upon a dry patch of bare ground, she thus carried out her observance there—steadfast and fully disciplined in austerity.

Word by Word

• śaiśirāsu: in the cold/wintry (seasonal conditions)

• ca: and

• rātrīṣu: in the nights

• śuṣka: dry

• sthaṇḍila: bare ground/cleared earthen spot (ascetic’s resting place)

• śāyinī: lying down (feminine)

• evaṃ: thus/in this manner

• sādhayatī: accomplishing/practising (the vow/discipline)

• tatra: there

• tapasā: by austerity/penance

• saṃvyavasthitā: well-settled, firmly established, fully regulated (in discipline).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu, describing an ascetic/votary’s practice)

Entities Mentioned

• Lord Matsya
• Vaivasvata Manu
• Tapas

Tags

• Tapas
• Vrata
• Ascetic discipline
• Dharma
• Matsya Purana

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya directly; it highlights disciplined austerity (tapas) as a means of spiritual accomplishment.

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

It models restraint and regulated conduct; in Matsya Purana’s ethical framework, rulers and householders are urged to cultivate self-control and disciplined living (even if not adopting extreme asceticism).

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it implies an austerity-setting practice: sleeping on a dry, bare earthen spot (sthaṇḍila) as part of a vrata, emphasizing simplicity and bodily restraint rather than temple architecture.