Matsya Purana — The Strategy to Defeat Tāraka: Pārvatī’s Birth, Shloka 127

Devanagari script

न लक्षयामः शैलेन्द्र शिष्यते कन्दरोदरात् न च लक्ष्मीस्तथा स्वर्गे कुत्राधिकतया स्थिता //

Transliteration

na lakṣayāmaḥ śailendra śiṣyate kandarodarāt na ca lakṣmīstathā svarge kutrādhikatayā sthitā //

Translation

Ô seigneur des montagnes, nous ne discernons rien qui demeure caché dans le ventre d’une caverne ; et Lakṣmī (la Fortune) n’est pas non plus trouvée établie nulle part—même au ciel—comme supérieure de cette manière.

Word by Word

• na: not

• lakṣayāmaḥ: we perceive/observe

• śailendra: O king of mountains (lord of mountains)

• śiṣyate: remains/is left over

• kandara-udarāt: from within the cave’s interior (lit. ‘from the cave-belly’)

• na ca: and not

• lakṣmīḥ: Lakṣmī, prosperity/fortune

• tathā: in that manner/so

• svarge: in heaven

• kutra: anywhere

• adhikatayā: with superiority/as something exceeding

• sthitā: established/abiding

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) (contextual attribution within the Matsya Purana’s instructional dialogue)

Entities Mentioned

• Lakshmi
• Svarga

Tags

• Vastuvidya
• Pratima-Lakshana
• Auspiciousness
• Lakshmi
• Sacred space

FAQs

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

This verse is not directly about Pralaya; it emphasizes discernment and the non-absoluteness of “superior” fortune (Lakṣmī) even in heavenly realms, aligning more with auspiciousness theory than cosmic dissolution.

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

It warns against assuming that prosperity or superiority is permanently “secured” in any place; a king or householder should rely on right conduct, proper rites, and wise judgment rather than believing fortune is inherently fixed in a location.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

In a Vastu/iconography context, it underscores that auspiciousness (including Lakṣmī) is not automatically guaranteed by lofty locations like caves or even “heavenly” associations; correct ritual procedure and proper sacred design are implied as decisive.