Shloka 47

Matsya Purana — Dhruva as Cosmic Pivot: Motions of Sun–Moon–Planets

Devanagari script

गायत्री चैव त्रिष्टुप्च जगत्यनुष्टुप्तथैव च पङ्क्तिश्च बृहती चैव उष्णिगेव तु सप्तमम् //

Transliteration

gāyatrī caiva triṣṭupca jagatyanuṣṭuptathaiva ca paṅktiśca bṛhatī caiva uṣṇigeva tu saptamam //

Translation

(The metres are:) Gāyatrī, Triṣṭubh, Jagatī, and likewise Anuṣṭubh; also Paṅkti and Bṛhatī—these, with Uṣṇik as the seventh.

Word by Word

• गायत्री (gāyatrī): the Gāyatrī metre

• चैव (caiva): and indeed/also

• त्रिष्टुप् (triṣṭup/triṣṭubh): the Triṣṭubh metre

• च (ca): and

• जगती (jagatī): the Jagatī metre

• अनुष्टुप् (anuṣṭup): the Anuṣṭubh metre

• तथैव (tathaiva): likewise

• पङ्क्तिः (paṅktiḥ): the Paṅkti metre

• च (ca): and

• बृहती (bṛhatī): the Bṛhatī metre

• चैव (caiva): and also

• उष्णिक् (uṣṇik): the Uṣṇik metre

• एव (eva): indeed

• तु (tu): but/and

• सप्तमम् (saptamam): the seventh (one).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, in the common Matsya Purana dialogue frame)

Entities Mentioned

• Gāyatrī
• Triṣṭubh
• Jagatī
• Anuṣṭubh
• Paṅkti
• Bṛhatī
• Uṣṇik

Tags

• Chandas
• Vedic Metres
• Mantra
• Ritual
• Matsya Purana

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya directly; it catalogs key Vedic metres (chandas), implying that correct mantra-metrics remain foundational even across changing cosmic cycles in Purāṇic ritual culture.

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

By naming standard chandas used in sacred recitation, the verse supports dharmic duties—kings and householders uphold yajña, japa, and scriptural learning, where correct metre preserves the integrity and efficacy of mantras.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual significance is primary: it lists seven important metres used to structure mantra recitation. While not architectural, such chandas knowledge commonly underpins temple-ritual chanting and liturgical correctness in Puranic practice.