Shloka 27

Matsya Purana — Genealogy and Classification of Sacred Fires

Devanagari script

ततो यः पावको नाम्ना यः सद्भिर्योग उच्यते अग्निः सो ऽवभृथो ज्ञेयो वरुणेन सहेज्यते //

Transliteration

tato yaḥ pāvako nāmnā yaḥ sadbhiryoga ucyate agniḥ so 'vabhṛtho jñeyo varuṇena sahejyate //

Translation

Then the Fire called “Pāvaka,” which the virtuous proclaim to be a sacred ‘yoga’ (a disciplined rite of union), is to be understood as the Avabhṛtha, the concluding purificatory rite; it is to be worshipped together with Varuṇa.

Word by Word

• tataḥ: then/thereafter

• yaḥ: which/he who

• pāvakaḥ: Pāvaka (the purifying fire), Agni

• nāmnā: by name

• yaḥ: which

• sadbhiḥ: by the good/virtuous

• yogaḥ: yoga (disciplined rite, sacred practice, union)

• ucyate: is called

• agniḥ: Fire, Agni

• saḥ: that

• avabhṛthaḥ: avabhṛtha (final bath/concluding purification of a sacrifice)

• jñeyaḥ: should be known/understood

• varuṇena: with Varuṇa

• saha: together

• ijyate: is worshipped/is to be worshipped.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, ritual-dharma discourse)

Entities Mentioned

• Agni (Pāvaka)
• Varuṇa
• Avabhṛtha

Tags

• Ritual
• Yajna
• Avabhṛtha
• Agni
• Varuṇa

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it defines a ritual principle: the concluding purification (avabhṛtha) is identified with Agni (Pāvaka) and is worshipped along with Varuṇa.

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

It frames correct performance of sacrificial conclusions as dharma: a king or householder who sponsors rites should complete them with avabhṛtha purification and proper deity-worship (Agni with Varuṇa), ensuring the rite is ritually whole.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritual significance: it links avabhṛtha (final bath/concluding purification) to Agni Pāvaka and prescribes joint worship with Varuṇa, highlighting water–fire complementarity in completion and purification of yajña.