Shloka 40

Matsya Purana — Genealogy and Classification of Sacred Fires

Devanagari script

इत्येते ह्यग्नयः प्रोक्ताः प्रणीता ये हि चाध्वरे समतीते तु सर्गे ये यामैः सह सुरोत्तमैः //

Transliteration

ityete hyagnayaḥ proktāḥ praṇītā ye hi cādhvare samatīte tu sarge ye yāmaiḥ saha surottamaiḥ //

Translation

Thus have these sacred fires been described—those that are duly established in the sacrificial rite; and those which, at the passing away of a cycle of creation, depart together with the Yāmas and the foremost of the gods.

Word by Word

• iti: thus

• ete: these

• hi: indeed

• agnayaḥ: fires (sacred fires/divine fires)

• proktāḥ: declared/described

• praṇītāḥ: duly led forth/established (as in rite)

• ye: which/those who

• hi: indeed

• ca: and

• adhvare: in the sacrifice (adhvara)

• samatīte: when it has passed/when ended

• tu: but/indeed

• sarge: in creation/cosmic cycle (sarga)

• ye: which/those who

• yāmaiḥ saha: together with the Yāmas

• sura-uttamaiḥ saha: together with the best of the gods (chief deities).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Agni (sacred fires)
• Yāmas
• Surottamas (foremost gods)

Tags

• Sarga
• Vedic ritual
• Agni
• Cosmic cycles
• Sacrifice (Yajña)

FAQs

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

It implies that sacred fires are not merely ritual tools but cosmic principles: at the end of a creation-cycle (sarga), they are said to depart along with divine time-attendants (Yāmas) and the foremost gods, linking yajña to cosmic transitions.

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

By stressing fires “duly established in sacrifice,” it supports the householder’s duty to maintain proper yajña discipline (agni establishment and ritual correctness). For a king, it reinforces patronage of public rites and protection of Vedic order as part of rājadharma.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual takeaway is the sanctity and correct establishment of agni in adhvara (yajña). While not a Vāstu verse, it underpins temple-ritual logic: consecrated fire is treated as a divine presence connected to higher cosmic beings and time-deities.