Matsya Purana — The Strategy to Defeat Tāraka: Pārvatī’s Birth, Shloka 1

Devanagari script

*सूत उवाच प्रादुरासीत्प्रतीहारः शुभ्रनीलाम्बुजाम्बरः स जानुभ्यां महीं गत्वा पिहितास्यः स्वपाणिना //

Transliteration

*sūta uvāca prādurāsītpratīhāraḥ śubhranīlāmbujāmbaraḥ sa jānubhyāṃ mahīṃ gatvā pihitāsyaḥ svapāṇinā //

Translation

സൂതൻ പറഞ്ഞു—അപ്പോൾ ഒരു പ്രതീഹാരൻ പ്രത്യക്ഷപ്പെട്ടു; നീലത്താമരപോലെ ശുഭ്രമായി പ്രകാശിക്കുന്ന വസ്ത്രം ധരിച്ചവൻ. അവൻ മുട്ടുകുത്തി ഭൂമിയിലിറങ്ങി, സ്വന്തം കൈകൊണ്ട് വായ് മറച്ചു.

Word by Word

• sūtaḥ: Sūta (the narrator)

• uvāca: said

• prādurāsīt: appeared/manifested

• pratīhāraḥ: doorkeeper, chamberlain, attendant (ritual gatekeeper)

• śubhra: bright, white, pure

• nīlāmbuja: blue lotus

• ambaraḥ: garment, clothing

• saḥ: he

• jānubhyām: with (both) knees

• mahīm: the earth/ground

• gatvā: having gone, having approached

• pihita-āsyaḥ: with mouth covered/closed

• sva-pāṇinā: with his own hand

Speaker

• Sūta

Entities Mentioned

• Sūta
• Pratīhāra

Tags

• Vastu
• Iconography
• Temple-ritual
• Etiquette
• Pratīhāra

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe pralaya; it describes ritual/ceremonial protocol—an attendant’s respectful posture and controlled speech (covering the mouth) within a sacred setting.

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

It models dharmic etiquette: humility (kneeling) and restraint in speech (covering the mouth), virtues applicable to rulers and householders when approaching elders, teachers, or sacred rites.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The appearance of a pratīhāra points to temple/ritual administration: a designated gatekeeper/attendant who maintains decorum at entrances and during proceedings—an aspect of organized worship practice often discussed alongside Vastu and ritual manuals.