Matsya Purana — The Strategy to Defeat Tāraka: Pārvatī’s Birth, Shloka 193

Devanagari script

जननी लोकधर्मस्य सम्भूता भूतभावनी शिवेयं पावनायैव त्वत्क्षेत्रे पावकद्युतिः //

Transliteration

jananī lokadharmasya sambhūtā bhūtabhāvanī śiveyaṃ pāvanāyaiva tvatkṣetre pāvakadyutiḥ //

Translation

Dialah ibu kepada dharma dunia, terjelma sebagai pemelihara segala makhluk. Dewi yang suci lagi membawa keberkatan ini (Śivā) menzahirkan diri semata-mata untuk menyucikan; di kṣetra sucimu dia bersinar dengan cahaya laksana api.

Word by Word

• जननी (jananī): mother

• लोकधर्मस्य (lokadharmasya): of the world’s dharma / social-religious order

• सम्भूता (sambhūtā): arisen, manifested

• भूतभावनी (bhūtabhāvanī): nurturer of beings, she who brings beings into flourishing

• शिवा (śivā): the auspicious one, Śivā/Goddess

• इयं (iyaṃ): this

• पावनाय (pāvanāya): for purification

• एव (eva): indeed, solely

• त्वत्क्षेत्रे (tvat-kṣetre): in your kṣetra / sacred region

• पावकद्युतिः (pāvakadyutiḥ): fire-like radiance, the splendor of flame.

Speaker

• Likely Lord Matsya (in Purāṇic dialogue) describing the sanctity of a kṣetra; exact speaker not explicit from the single verse.

Entities Mentioned

• Śivā
• Śiva (implied auspicious power)
• Kṣetra (sacred field/region)

Tags

• Kshetra-Mahatmya
• Purification
• Shiva-Shakti
• Ritual Sanctity
• Sacred Geography

FAQs

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

It does not describe pralaya directly; it emphasizes the sustaining, life-nurturing aspect of the Goddess (bhūtabhāvanī) and the purifying power present in a sacred kṣetra.

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

It supports dharma by framing sacred space as a purifier: rulers and householders maintain social order (lokadharma) by honoring holy sites, supporting worship, and observing purity disciplines tied to the kṣetra.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The verse highlights kṣetra-śuddhi (sanctity of the site): for Vastu/temple practice, the chosen field is valued for its inherent purifying potency, symbolized as “fire-like radiance,” aligning with ritual consecration and purity requirements.