Shloka 34

Matsya Purana — Genealogy of Kaśyapa: Ādityas

Devanagari script

गरुडः पततां नाथः अरुणश्च पतत्रिणाम् सौदामनी तथा कन्या येयं नभसि विश्रुता //

Transliteration

garuḍaḥ patatāṃ nāthaḥ aruṇaśca patatriṇām saudāmanī tathā kanyā yeyaṃ nabhasi viśrutā //

Translation

Garuḍa is the lord of those that fly, and Aruṇa is the chief of birds; likewise Saudāmanī—this maiden famed in the sky—is lightning.

Word by Word

• गरुडः (garuḍaḥ): Garuḍa

• पतताम् (patatām): of flying beings/those that move through the air

• नाथः (nāthaḥ): lord, master

• अरुणः (aruṇaḥ): Aruṇa (the charioteer of the Sun)

• च (ca): and

• पतत्रिणाम् (patatriṇām): of winged creatures/birds

• सौदामनी (saudāmanī): Saudāmanī (lightning)

• तथा (tathā): likewise

• कन्या (kanyā): maiden, girl

• इयम् (iyam): this

• नभसि (nabhasi): in the sky

• विश्रुता (viśrutā): renowned, celebrated.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Garuḍa
• Aruṇa
• Saudāmanī (Lightning)

Tags

• Cosmic order
• Celestial hierarchy
• Deities
• Natural phenomena
• Puranic taxonomy

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; it classifies cosmic functions by assigning “chiefs” to aerial beings and to lightning, reflecting ordered governance of nature within creation.

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

By presenting a model of delegated authority (nātha) in the cosmos, it implicitly supports the Matsya Purana’s ethic that a king or householder should maintain order through rightful leadership and proper assignment of roles.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or ritual rule is stated; however, identifying deities and celestial powers (like Garuḍa and lightning) can inform iconographic/ritual contexts where such beings are invoked or depicted.