Shloka 20

Matsya Purana — Genealogy and Classification of Sacred Fires

Devanagari script

पर्जन्यः पवमानस्तु द्वितीयः सो ऽनुदृश्यते पावकोष्णः समूह्यस्तु वोत्तरे सो ऽग्निरुच्यते //

Transliteration

parjanyaḥ pavamānastu dvitīyaḥ so 'nudṛśyate pāvakoṣṇaḥ samūhyastu vottare so 'gnirucyate //

Translation

Parjanya—also called Pavamāna—is described as the second form. And in the subsequent account, the fire known as Pāvaka (also called Uṣṇa) is stated to be the collective or aggregated (samūhya) one.

Word by Word

• पर्जन्यः (parjanyaḥ): Parjanya, the rain-bearing deity/cloud-power

• पवमानः (pavamānaḥ): Pavamāna, ‘the purifying/flowing one’ (a name associated with wind or purifying force)

• तु (tu): indeed/and

• द्वितीयः (dvitīyaḥ): the second

• सः (saḥ): he/that

• अनुदृश्यते (anudṛśyate): is seen/mentioned in sequence, is described thereafter

• पावकः (pāvakaḥ): Pāvaka, a name of Agni (‘the purifier’)

• उष्णः (uṣṇaḥ): heat/warmth, ‘the hot one’

• समूह्यः (samūhyaḥ): aggregated/collective, brought together as a group

• तु (tu): and

• उत्तरॆ (uttare): in the later/following passage

• सः (saḥ): that

• अग्निः (agniḥ): fire

• उच्यते (ucyate): is called/is said.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu (contextual attribution for this cosmological instruction in the Matsya Purana narrative frame)

Entities Mentioned

• Parjanya
• Pavamana
• Pavaka
• Agni

Tags

• Agni
• Cosmology
• Vedic deities
• Purification
• Ritual terminology

FAQs

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

It does not directly describe Pralaya; instead, it classifies cosmic/ritual powers—Parjanya/Pavamāna and Pāvaka (Agni as heat)—which are foundational forces that continue to function across cycles of creation and dissolution.

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

By naming and distinguishing sacred forces (rain-power and fire/heat), the verse supports correct ritual understanding for householders and rulers who sponsor yajñas—ensuring offerings, seasonal rites, and prosperity-invoking ceremonies are aligned with properly identified divine energies.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it emphasizes precise identification of fire-forms (Agni as Pāvaka/Uṣṇa). In Vastu-informed practice, such classifications support correct orientation and handling of fire in rites (Agni-related functions) and the broader ritual ecology tied to rain (Parjanya).