Shloka 33

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

Devanagari script

इत्युक्तः शंकरः शङ्कां कांचित्प्राप्यावधारयत् हृदयेन समाधाय देवः प्रहसिताननः //

Transliteration

ityuktaḥ śaṃkaraḥ śaṅkāṃ kāṃcitprāpyāvadhārayat hṛdayena samādhāya devaḥ prahasitānanaḥ //

Translation

Thus addressed, Śaṅkara (Śiva), entertaining a certain doubt, reflected inwardly; composing his mind within his heart, the god—his face lit by a gentle smile—resolved what was to be done.

Word by Word

• iti-uktaḥ: thus spoken to/so addressed

• śaṃkaraḥ: Śaṅkara (Śiva)

• śaṅkām: doubt/suspicion

• kāṃcit: some/certain

• prāpya: having arisen/obtaining (in him)

• avadhārayat: considered/ascertained/resolved

• hṛdayena: in/with the heart (inwardly)

• samādhāya: having composed/collected (his mind)

• devaḥ: the god

• prahasita-ānanaḥ: with a smiling face/gently smiling

Speaker

• Narrator (Purāṇic narrator describing Śiva’s reaction)

Entities Mentioned

• Shankara
• Shiva

Tags

• Shaiva
• Dialogue
• Decision
• Dharma
• Narrative

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe pralaya or cosmology directly; it highlights a deity’s inward reflection and resolve, a narrative pause often used before a consequential divine action.

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

It models dhārmic decision-making: when doubt arises, one should become inwardly collected (samādhāya) and then determine the proper course with clarity rather than haste.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No explicit Vāstu/ritual rule appears in this verse; its closest ritual implication is the ideal of mental composure (inner samādhi) preceding sacred or decisive acts.