Shloka 39

Matsya Purana — Genealogy of Kaśyapa: Ādityas

Devanagari script

शेषवासुकिकर्कोटशङ्खैरावतकम्बलाः धनंजयमहानीलपद्माश्वतरतक्षकाः //

Transliteration

śeṣavāsukikarkoṭaśaṅkhairāvatakambalāḥ dhanaṃjayamahānīlapadmāśvataratakṣakāḥ //

Translation

Śeṣa, Vāsuki, Karkoṭa, Śaṅkha, Airāvata, and Kambala; likewise Dhanaṃjaya, Mahānīla, Padma, Aśvatara, and Takṣaka—these are the eminent Nāgas (serpent-lords).

Word by Word

śeṣaḥŚeṣa (Ananta), the primordial serpent

vāsukiḥVāsuki, famed serpent-king

karkoṭaḥKarkoṭa, a powerful nāga

śaṅkhaḥŚaṅkha, a nāga named ‘Conch’

airāvataḥAirāvata (here a nāga bearing this name)

kambalaḥKambala, a nāga

dhanaṃjayaḥDhanaṃjaya, a nāga

mahānīlaḥMahānīla, ‘great dark-blue’ (a nāga)

padmaḥPadma, ‘lotus’ (a nāga)

aśvataraḥAśvatara, ‘horse-like/horse-steed’ (a nāga)

takṣakaḥTakṣaka, the celebrated nāga

Speaker

Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu, within the Matsya Purana’s cosmological narration)

Entities Mentioned

ŚeṣaVāsukiKarkoṭaŚaṅkhaAirāvataKambalaDhanaṃjayaMahānīlaPadmaAśvataraTakṣakaNāgas

FAQs

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

This verse does not directly describe Pralaya; it supports the Purana’s broader cosmological map by listing major Nāgas, beings often associated with the subterranean realms and cosmic stability (especially Śeṣa).

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

Indirectly, it functions as sacred cosmological knowledge (itihāsa–purāṇa learning) that a king or householder is encouraged to hear and preserve; it does not prescribe a specific ethical duty in this line itself.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No explicit Vāstu or ritual rule is stated; however, Nāga names are commonly invoked in protective rites and temple/house threshold traditions, so the list can serve as a referential catalogue for later ritual usage.