Matsya Purana — Śiva–Pārvatī Quarrel and Pārvatī’s Resolve for Austerity to Attain Gaurī-hood, Shloka 18

Devanagari script

हिमाचलस्य शृङ्गैस्तैर् मेघजालाकुलैर्नभः तथा दुरवगाह्येभ्यो हृदयेभ्यस्तवाशयः //

Transliteration

himācalasya śṛṅgaistair meghajālākulairnabhaḥ tathā duravagāhyebhyo hṛdayebhyastavāśayaḥ //

Translation

Như bầu trời bị che phủ dày đặc bởi những khối mây quanh các đỉnh Hi-mã-lạp-sơn, cũng vậy, ý định thẳm sâu của nàng khó dò đối với những tâm trí khó tiếp cận (những trái tim chưa thể thấu).

Word by Word

• himācalasya: of the Himālaya mountain

• śṛṅgaiḥ: with peaks/summits

• taiḥ: by those

• meghajāla-ākulaiḥ: crowded/filled with a net (mass) of clouds

• nabhaḥ: the sky

• tathā: likewise/so

• duravagāhyebhyaḥ: from/for those that are difficult to enter or comprehend

• hṛdayebhyaḥ: from/for hearts (minds)

• tava: your

• āśayaḥ: intention, inner thought, disposition

Speaker

• Likely the interlocutor addressing Lord Matsya (praise/observation within the Matsya–Manu dialogue frame)

Entities Mentioned

• Himālaya

Tags

• Stuti
• Upama
• Bhakti
• Philosophy
• MatsyaPurana

FAQs

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

Directly, it does not describe Pralaya; it uses a natural simile (clouded Himalayan sky) to convey that higher intention—often understood as divine will guiding cosmic events—can be difficult for ordinary minds to comprehend.

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

It encourages humility and discernment: a king or householder should not act from impulsive certainty about hidden motives, but govern and live by dharma, recognizing that deeper intentions (one’s own or another’s) may be obscure and require careful reflection.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No explicit Vāstu or ritual procedure is stated; the verse is primarily metaphorical, using landscape imagery as a teaching device rather than prescribing temple-building or rites.