Matsya Purana — War of Devas and Dānavas: Yama and Kubera Defeated; Kālanemi’s Māyā and the A..., Shloka 70

Devanagari script

अधृष्यां सर्वभूतानां बहुवर्षगणार्चिताम् नानाचन्दनदिग्धाङ्गां दिव्यपुष्पविवासिताम् //

Transliteration

adhṛṣyāṃ sarvabhūtānāṃ bahuvarṣagaṇārcitām nānācandanadigdhāṅgāṃ divyapuṣpavivāsitām //

Translation

她为一切众生所不可攻克，久受诸天众群礼敬；其肢体涂抹种种檀香膏，复以天界妙花薰馥。

Word by Word

• अधृष्याम्: unassailable, unconquerable

• सर्वभूतानाम्: of all beings

• बहुवर्ष: for many years

• गण: groups, hosts (of attendants/celestials)

• अर्चिताम्: worshipped, honored

• नाना: many kinds

• चन्दन: sandalwood

• दिग्धाङ्गाम्: whose limbs are smeared/anointed

• दिव्य: divine, celestial

• पुष्प: flowers

• विवासिताम्: perfumed, fragranced

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu, describing the divine form/Deity for contemplation or worship)

Tags

• Iconography
• Divine Praise
• Ritual Worship
• Temple Rituals
• Matsya Purana

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it is an iconographic and devotional description emphasizing the deity’s inviolable, transcendent nature and the prescribed modes of veneration.

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

It supports the duty of regular worship (puja): honoring the deity with gandha (sandal paste) and pushpa (flowers), cultivating reverence, purity, and protection through dharmic devotion.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it highlights standard upacaras—anointing with sandal paste and offering fragrant flowers—core elements of temple and household worship that accompany consecrated images (pratima) and sanctum rituals.