Shloka 5

Matsya Purana — Genealogy and Classification of Sacred Fires

Devanagari script

पावकः सहरक्षस्तु हव्यवाहमुखः शुचिः देवानां हव्यवाहो ऽग्निः प्रथमो ब्रह्मणः सुतः //

Transliteration

pāvakaḥ saharakṣastu havyavāhamukhaḥ śuciḥ devānāṃ havyavāho 'gniḥ prathamo brahmaṇaḥ sutaḥ //

Translation

Agni is called Pāvaka; he is accompanied by the Rākṣasas; he is the pure one whose mouth conveys the oblations. Among the gods, Agni is Havyavāha, the bearer of offerings, the first-born son of Brahmā.

Word by Word

• pāvakaḥ: Pāvaka (Agni, ‘the purifier’)

• saha-rakṣas: together with the Rakṣasas/with Rakṣasa-attendants

• tu: indeed/and

• havyavāha-mukhaḥ: whose mouth is the carrier of oblations (the offering-bearing mouth)

• śuciḥ: pure, bright

• devānām: of the gods

• havyavāhaḥ: the bearer/conveyor of offerings

• agniḥ: Agni (fire)

• prathamaḥ: first, foremost/first-born

• brahmaṇaḥ: of Brahmā

• sutaḥ: son

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Agni
• Brahma
• Rakshasas

Tags

• Ritual
• Agni
• Cosmology
• Deities
• Yajna

FAQs

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

It presents a creation-oriented identity: Agni is described as Brahmā’s first-born son and as the divine medium who carries offerings to the gods—supporting the ordered cosmic and ritual structure rather than dissolution.

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

It underlines the householder-kingly duty of maintaining yajña and homa: Agni, as Havyavāha, is the essential mediator through whom offerings reach the devas, making ritual fire central to dharmic life and royal patronage of sacrifices.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it highlights Agni’s role as the ‘mouth’ that conveys havya—implying correct establishment of the sacred fire (āhavanīya/gārhapatya) and proper offering procedure, a key foundation for temple and domestic worship rites.