Shloka 29

Matsya Purana — Brahmā–Gāyatrī as a Divine Pair and the Early Genealogies of Creation

Devanagari script

विद्युतो ऽशनिमेघांश्च रोहितेन्द्रधनूंषि च छन्दांसि च ससर्जादौ पर्जन्यं च ततः परम् //

Transliteration

vidyuto 'śanimeghāṃśca rohitendradhanūṃṣi ca chandāṃsi ca sasarjādau parjanyaṃ ca tataḥ param //

Translation

In the beginning, he created lightning, thunder, and clouds; the red glow and the rainbow as well; and also the Vedic metres. Thereafter, he brought forth Parjanya—the rain-bearing power.

Word by Word

• vidyutaḥ: lightnings

• aśani: thunderbolt/thunder

• meghān: clouds

• ca: and

• rohita: the red glow/crimson radiance

• indra-dhanūṃṣi: rainbows ("Indra’s bow")

• chandāṃsi: Vedic metres/prosodic forms

• sasarja: created/emitted

• ādau: in the beginning/at first

• parjanyaṃ: Parjanya (rain, rain-god, rain-bearing principle)

• tataḥ param: thereafter/next.

Speaker

• Suta (narrating the cosmological account of creation as taught in the Purana)

Entities Mentioned

• Parjanya
• Indra-dhanu (rainbow)
• Chandas (Vedic metres)

Tags

• Creation
• Cosmology
• Vedic metres
• Weather phenomena
• Parjanya

FAQs

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

It focuses on creation (sarga), describing the arising of atmospheric forces—lightning, thunder, clouds, and rain—showing an ordered manifestation of the cosmic environment rather than dissolution.

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

Indirectly, it grounds dharma in cosmic order: rain (Parjanya) sustains agriculture and prosperity, which kings protect through righteous governance and householders honor through offerings and seasonal rites tied to rainfall and fertility.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, “chandāṃsi” points to Vedic metres essential for correct mantra-recitation in yajñas and temple worship; the verse thus supports the idea that proper ritual sound-structure is part of cosmic order.