Shloka 131

Matsya Purana — Yadu Lineage

Devanagari script

सहस्रशिरसे चैव सहस्राक्षाय मीधुषे वराय भव्यरूपाय श्वेताय पुरुषाय च //

Transliteration

sahasraśirase caiva sahasrākṣāya mīdhuṣe varāya bhavyarūpāya śvetāya puruṣāya ca //

Translation

Salutations indeed to Him of a thousand heads, to Him of a thousand eyes; to the bountiful bestower, the excellent One—whose form is auspicious and majestic—to the radiant, white-hued Supreme Person, Puruṣa.

Word by Word

• सहस्र-शिरसे: to the thousand-headed (cosmic) One

• च एव: and indeed

• सहस्र-अक्षाय: to the thousand-eyed One

• मीधुषे: to the bounteous giver/bestower (one who grants boons)

• वराय: to the excellent/supreme One

• भव्य-रूपाय: to Him whose form is auspicious, splendid, majestic

• श्वेताय: to the white/radiant/pure One

• पुरुषाय: to the Supreme Person (Puruṣa)

• च: and

Speaker

• Sūta (narrator) presenting a devotional eulogy within the Matsya Purana’s discourse tradition

Entities Mentioned

• Puruṣa (Supreme Person)
• Vishnu (implied)
• Cosmic Puruṣa (Purusha-sukta resonance)

Tags

• Stotra
• Vishnu
• Puruṣa
• Iconography
• Divine epithets

FAQs

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

It invokes the cosmic Puruṣa with “thousand heads” and “thousand eyes,” a universal form that transcends individual worlds—an image often used in Purāṇic thought to indicate the Lord’s sovereignty over creation, preservation, and dissolution, though this specific verse is primarily praise rather than a Pralaya narration.

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

By praising the Lord as the “bountiful bestower” (mīdhuṣ), it frames dharmic life as supported by divine grace: kings and householders are encouraged to rule, give, and act ethically while remembering the supreme source of prosperity and auspiciousness.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, the epithets function as mantra-like names for worship (stotra/japa). Iconographically, “śveta” (radiant/white) and “bhavyarūpa” (majestic form) can guide devotional visualization of a luminous, auspicious Puruṣa in temple or household worship, though no direct Vāstu rule is stated in this verse.