Matsya Purana — The Strategy to Defeat Tāraka: Pārvatī’s Birth, Shloka 192

Devanagari script

विचित्रवर्णैर्भासन्तौ स्वच्छायाप्रतिबिम्बितौ भार्या जगद्गुरोर्ह्येषा वृषाङ्कस्य महीधर //

Transliteration

vicitravarṇairbhāsantau svacchāyāpratibimbitau bhāryā jagadgurorhyeṣā vṛṣāṅkasya mahīdhara //

Translation

Kedua-dua kaki itu berseri dengan warna-warna yang menakjubkan, dan terpantul dalam kilau jernihnya sendiri. Sesungguhnya dialah permaisuri kepada Guru Alam (Jagad-guru), wahai Pemikul Gunung—isteri Vṛṣāṅka (Śiva, yang bertanda lembu).

Word by Word

• vicitra-varṇaiḥ: with variegated/wondrous colors

• bhāsantau: shining, radiant

• sva-chāyā-pratibimbitau: reflected in their own brightness/clear lustre (as in a mirror-like sheen)

• bhāryā: wife, consort

• jagad-guroḥ: of the teacher of the world (a title of Śiva)

• hi: indeed

• eṣā: this (she)

• vṛṣāṅkasya: of Vṛṣāṅka, ‘he whose emblem is the bull’ (Śiva)

• mahīdhara: O bearer of the earth / O mountain-holder (vocative, an address)

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching/reciting Purāṇic description within the Matsya Purana’s discourse to Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Jagadguru (Śiva)
• Vṛṣāṅka (Śiva)
• Bhāryā (Pārvatī/Umā implied)

Tags

• Iconography
• Shiva
• Parvati
• Pratima Lakshana
• Devata Varnana

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it is a descriptive (iconographic/poetic) identification of Śiva (Vṛṣāṅka) and his consort, emphasizing divine radiance and recognizable epithets.

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

Indirectly, it supports dharmic life by prescribing correct recognition and reverent contemplation of deities (especially Śiva and his consort), which a king/householder upholds through worship, patronage of temples, and maintaining orthodox ritual culture.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The verse contributes to Pratima-Lakṣaṇa (iconographic identification): epithets like Vṛṣāṅka and the emphasis on radiant, well-defined appearance help ensure correct deity attribution in temple images and ritual visualization.