Shloka 25

Matsya Purana — Genealogy and Classification of Sacred Fires

Devanagari script

प्रशंस्यो ऽग्निः प्रचेतास्तु द्वितीयः संसहायकः सुतो ह्यग्नेर् विश्ववेदा ब्राह्मणाच्छंसिरुच्यते //

Transliteration

praśaṃsyo 'gniḥ pracetāstu dvitīyaḥ saṃsahāyakaḥ suto hyagner viśvavedā brāhmaṇācchaṃsirucyate //

Translation

Agni is praised as the first; Pracetas is the second, described as a helpful ally. And the son of Agni—Viśvavedā—is said to be the Brahmanical reciter, the officiant who chants the praises.

Word by Word

• praśaṃsyaḥ: worthy of praise, laudable

• agniḥ: Agni (fire/deity)

• pracetāḥ: Pracetas (a named figure in the lineage)

• tu: and/indeed

• dvitīyaḥ: second

• saṃ-sahāyakaḥ: companion-helper, supportive ally

• sutaḥ: son

• hi: indeed

• agneḥ: of Agni

• viśvavedāḥ: Viśvavedā (proper name

• brāhmaṇa: Brahmanical/priestly

• ācchaṃsī (ācchaṃsir): reciter of praises, one who chants invocations (ṛtvij-type function)

• ucyate: is said/called

Speaker

• Sūta (narrator) recounting the Matsya Purana’s genealogy

Entities Mentioned

• Agni
• Pracetas
• Viśvavedā

Tags

• Dynasties
• Genealogy
• Vamsha
• Priestly roles
• Vedic ritual

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya; it belongs to a genealogical register, praising Agni and naming Pracetas and Agni’s son Viśvavedā in a lineage context.

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

Indirectly, it underscores the Purāṇic ideal that royal/social order is sustained by correctly transmitted lineages and priestly functions—here, the role of a Brahmanical reciter connected with ritual performance.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual significance is the mention of the ācchaṃsī—an officiant/reciter who chants praises in Vedic-style rites—highlighting the importance of specialized priestly roles in ceremonial practice.