Shloka 22

Matsya Purana — Inquiry into Taraka’s Slaying and the Prelude to Guha

Devanagari script

पक्षिणो विनतापुत्रा गरुडप्रमुखाः स्मृताः नागाः कद्रूसुता ज्ञेयाः शेषाश्चान्ये ऽपि जन्तवः //

Transliteration

pakṣiṇo vinatāputrā garuḍapramukhāḥ smṛtāḥ nāgāḥ kadrūsutā jñeyāḥ śeṣāścānye 'pi jantavaḥ //

Translation

Birds are said to be the sons of Vinatā, with Garuḍa foremost among them. The nāgas (serpent-beings) should be known as the offspring of Kadrū; and so too are Śeṣa and other living creatures of that class.

Word by Word

pakṣiṇaḥbirds

vinatā-putrāḥsons of Vinatā

garuḍa-pramukhāḥwith Garuḍa as the chief/foremost

smṛtāḥare remembered/are traditionally stated

nāgāḥnāgas, serpent-beings

kadrū-sutāḥsons of Kadrū

jñeyāḥare to be known/understood

śeṣaḥŚeṣa (Ananta), the great serpent

caand

anye apiothers also

jantavaḥliving beings/creatures

Speaker

Sūta (narrating the Matsya Purana’s traditional account; framed within the Manu–Matsya teaching stream)

Entities Mentioned

VinatāGaruḍaKadrūNāgasŚeṣa (Ananta)

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; instead, it classifies beings by mythic lineage, linking birds to Vinatā and serpent-beings (nāgas) to Kadrū—part of the Purana’s broader creation-and-population framework.

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

Indirectly, it supports dharmic governance and household conduct by grounding social-religious knowledge in recognized lineages—useful for rites, omens, and respectful handling of sacred beings like Garuḍa-associated birds and nāga traditions.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu rule is stated, but ritually the verse underpins nāga-related and Garuḍa-related observances (protective rites, serpent pacification traditions, and iconographic associations) by identifying their primordial origins.