Shloka 19

Matsya Purana — Genealogy and Classification of Sacred Fires

Devanagari script

वासवो ऽग्निः कृशानुर्यो द्वितीयोत्तरवेदिकः सम्राडग्निसुतो ह्यष्टाव् उपतिष्ठन्ति तान्द्विजाः //

Transliteration

vāsavo 'gniḥ kṛśānuryo dvitīyottaravedikaḥ samrāḍagnisuto hyaṣṭāv upatiṣṭhanti tāndvijāḥ //

Translation

That fire is called Vāsava and also Kṛśānu; it is the second, stationed upon the northern altar-platform. Samrāṭ, the son of Agni—these eight (forms/attendants) are duly attended upon by the dvija, the twice-born (Brahmins).

Word by Word

vāsavaḥVāsava (a name/title)

agniḥthe sacred fire

kṛśānuḥKṛśānu (a name of Agni)

dvitīyaḥthe second

uttara-vedikaḥsituated on/connected with the northern altar (uttara-vedī)

samrāṭSamrāṭ (a named form/attendant)

agni-sutaḥborn of Agni, Agni’s son

hiindeed

aṣṭaueight

upatiṣṭhantiattend upon, serve, worship

tānthem

dvijāḥthe twice-born (ritually initiated classes, esp. Brahmins).

Speaker

Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, within the Matsya Purana’s teaching dialogue)

Entities Mentioned

AgniVāsava (as a name of Agni)KṛśānuSamrāṭDvija (twice-born)

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it focuses on ritual taxonomy—naming and positioning forms of Agni and stating that dvijas must attend them according to prescribed worship.

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

It underscores dharma through yajña: householders (and rulers who sponsor sacrifices) must maintain correct fire-ritual practice, while dvijas perform the formal attending/worship of the designated fires on properly oriented altars.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It specifies altar-orientation and placement—“uttara-vedi” (northern altar/platform) for the ‘second’ fire—linking ritual correctness to spatial layout, a key intersection of yajna-vidhi and Vastu-style directional discipline.