Matsya Purana — Code of Conduct and Vow-Procedure for Courtesans, Shloka 39

Devanagari script

नमः शिवाय शान्ताय पाशाङ्कुशधराय च गदिने पीतवस्त्राय शङ्खचक्रधराय च //

Transliteration

namaḥ śivāya śāntāya pāśāṅkuśadharāya ca gadine pītavastrāya śaṅkhacakradharāya ca //

Translation

శాంతస్వరూపుడైన శివునికి నమస్కారం; పాశం, అంకుశం ధరించినవాడికి నమస్కారం; గదాధారి, పీతవస్త్రధారికి నమస్కారం; మరియు శంఖచక్రధారికి నమస్కారం।

Word by Word

• namaḥ: salutations

• śivāya: to Śiva/the auspicious Lord

• śāntāya: to the peaceful/tranquil one

• pāśa: noose

• aṅkuśa: goad/elephant-hook

• dharāya: to the bearer

• ca: and

• gadine: to the mace-bearer

• pīta-vastrāya: to the one wearing yellow garments

• śaṅkha: conch

• cakra: discus

• śaṅkha-cakra-dharāya: to the bearer of conch and discus

Speaker

• Suta (narratorial recitation of a dhyana/vandana formula within the Matsya Purana’s iconography section)

Entities Mentioned

• Shiva
• Pasha (noose)
• Ankusha (goad)
• Gada (mace)
• Shankha (conch)
• Chakra (discus)

Tags

• Iconography
• Dhyana
• Vandana
• Temple Ritual
• Pratima Lakshana

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe pralaya directly; it is a devotional salutation highlighting divine attributes used for meditation and worship.

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

It supports the dharmic duty of daily worship (nitya-pūjā) by providing epithets for reverent remembrance of the deity, reinforcing discipline, purity, and devotion expected of householders and rulers.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The listed attributes (pāśa, aṅkuśa, gadā, śaṅkha, cakra; yellow garments) function as iconographic markers guiding correct image-making and ritual visualization in temple installation and worship.