Shloka 37

Matsya Purana — Vishnu’s Names Across Yugas and the Gods’ Refuge During the Tārakāmaya War

Devanagari script

तं तु योगमहापारं नारायणमहार्णवम् देवाधिदेवं वरदं भक्तानां भक्तिवत्सलम् //

Transliteration

taṃ tu yogamahāpāraṃ nārāyaṇamahārṇavam devādhidevaṃ varadaṃ bhaktānāṃ bhaktivatsalam //

Translation

But Him—Nārāyaṇa, the vast ocean of divine being, the farthest shore of Yoga; the God above all gods; the giver of boons; and the one tenderly devoted to His devotees—they extol.

Word by Word

tamHim

tuindeed/but

yoga-mahā-pāramthe great further shore/ultimate refuge of Yoga

nārāyaṇa-mahārṇavamNārāyaṇa who is like the great ocean (the immense cosmic expanse)

deva-adhi-devamthe God over (all) gods

varadamthe giver of boons

bhaktānāmof devotees

bhakti-vatsalamaffectionate/parentally tender toward devotion and devotees

Speaker

Narrator within the Matsya Purana’s dialogue framework (contextually aligned with the Matsya–Manu teaching stream; this verse functions as a stuti rather than a command).

Entities Mentioned

NarayanaDevaadhideva

FAQs

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

By calling Nārāyaṇa the “great ocean” and the supreme refuge, the verse implies He is the cosmic ground that remains the ultimate shelter even when worlds arise and dissolve (pralaya), though the mechanics of pralaya are not detailed here.

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

It frames ideal conduct around devotion and surrender to the supreme Lord who grants boons—encouraging rulers and householders to ground dharma, charity, and governance in bhakti and in seeking righteous blessings rather than ego-driven power.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or iconographic rule is stated; ritually, it functions as a praise-formula (stuti) supporting Vishnu/Nārāyaṇa worship—useful as a devotional recitation preceding pūjā or vrata observance.