Shloka 142

Matsya Purana — Yadu Lineage

Devanagari script

क्रूरायाविकृतायैव भीषणाय शिवाय च सौम्याय चैव मुख्याय धार्मिकाय शुभाय च //

Transliteration

krūrāyāvikṛtāyaiva bhīṣaṇāya śivāya ca saumyāya caiva mukhyāya dhārmikāya śubhāya ca //

Translation

Salutations to the Fierce One; to the wondrous and uncanny One; to the Terrifying One; and also to the Auspicious One (Śiva); to the Gentle One; to the Foremost One; to the Righteous One who upholds Dharma; and to the Blessed One.

Word by Word

krūrāyato the fierce one

avikṛtāya evaindeed to the unaltered/strangely formed one (contextually: wondrous, uncommon in form)

bhīṣaṇāyato the dreadful/terrifying one

śivāyato Śiva/the auspicious one

caand

saumyāyato the gentle/benign one

ca evaand indeed

mukhyāyato the chief/foremost one

dhārmikāyato the righteous/virtuous one

śubhāyato the auspicious/blessed one

caand.

Speaker

Sūta (reciting a litany of divine epithets within the Purāṇic narration; devotional praise addressed to the deity, Śiva/Devī depending on the surrounding hymn-context)

Entities Mentioned

Shiva

FAQs

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

It does not directly describe pralaya; it frames the deity as encompassing opposites—fierce and gentle—suggesting cosmic sovereignty that can both dissolve and bless, a common Purāṇic theological motif.

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

By praising the deity as “dhārmika” (righteous) and “śubha” (auspicious), it reinforces dharma-centered living: rulers and householders are urged to align conduct with righteousness and seek auspiciousness through devotion and ethical action.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it functions as a nāma/guṇa-stuti suitable for japa or temple recitation; such epithets are commonly used in pūjā sequences and can be integrated into mantra-nyāsa or stotra recitals during Śiva worship.