The Matsya Purana (critical study)
by Kushal Kalita | 2018 | 74,766 words | ISBN-13: 9788171103058
This page relates ‘Shiva as the Supreme lord’ of the English study on the Matsya-purana: a Sanskrit text preserving ancient Indian traditions and legends written in over 14,000 metrical verses. In this study, the background and content of the Matsyapurana is outlined against the cultural history of ancient India in terms of religion, politics, geography and architectural aspects. It shows how the encyclopedic character causes the text to deal with almost all the aspects of human civilization.
Part 2.1 - Śiva as the Supreme lord
In the Matsyapurāṇa Śiva occupies an important place. He is described as the first lord of gods (Devādideva).[1] He is the supreme lord.[2] He is and avyakta.[3] According to the Matsyapurāṇa, Śiva is the recipient of the first share of Vedic yajña. He is, therefore, called Yajñāgrabhuk.[4] He is the soul of all. There is no other powerful man in the universe than Lord Śiva and equally no other powerful woman is there than Śiva’s consort Pārvati.[5] Nothing is unknown to Śiva. By the grace of him one becomes the knower of everything.[6]
In many places of the Matsyapurāṇa, Śiva is mentioned as the supreme deity. Lord Brahmā, Viṣṇu and the other gods even did not know the limit of the greatness of Śiva.[7] Brahmā, Viṣṇu and Indra used to worship him.[8] Lord Śiva is described as the destroyer of lokas and time.[9] He is the annihilator of cupid and the destroyer of the sacrifice of king Dakṣa.[10] He is the cause of the universe. He bestows bliss and freedom to all living beings.[11] The three guṇas sattva, rajas and tamas belong to him. He is the soul of all beings (sarvabhūtātmā).[12]
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
Ibid., 181.8
[2]:
Ibid., 250.49
[3]:
Ibid., 250.37
[4]:
Ibid., 250.49
[6]:
Ibid., 69.3
[7]:
Ibid., 164.347
[8]:
Ibid., 192,7
[9]:
Ibid., 250.32
[10]:
Ibid., 250. 32-34
[11]:
Ibid., 250.34-36
[12]:
, 185.6