Shloka 34

Matsya Purana — Inquiry into Yayāti’s Story and the Kacha–Devayānī Episode

Devanagari script

हुतं चैवाग्निहोत्रं ते सूर्यश्चास्तं गतः प्रभो अगोपाश्चागता गावः कचस्तात न दृश्यते //

Transliteration

hutaṃ caivāgnihotraṃ te sūryaścāstaṃ gataḥ prabho agopāścāgatā gāvaḥ kacastāta na dṛśyate //

Translation

Your agnihotra offering has indeed been performed, and the sun has set, O Lord. The cows have returned without their cowherds—yet, dear one, Kaca is nowhere to be seen.

Word by Word

• हुतम् (hutam): offered into the fire

• च (ca): and

• एव (eva): indeed

• अग्निहोत्रम् (agnihotram): the agnihotra rite/daily fire-offering

• ते (te): your/for you

• सूर्यः (sūryaḥ): the sun

• च (ca): and

• अस्तं गतः (astaṃ gataḥ): has gone to setting/has set

• प्रभो (prabho): O Lord/O master

• अगोपाः (agopāḥ): without cowherds

• च (ca): and

• आगताः (āgatāḥ): have come/returned

• गावः (gāvaḥ): cows

• कचः (kacaḥ): Kaça (a person’s name)

• तात (tāta): dear one/child (a term of address)

• न (na): not

• दृश्यते (dṛśyate): is seen/appears.

Speaker

• A household member/attendant reporting to Vaivasvata Manu (within the Matsya–Manu narrative frame)

Entities Mentioned

• Surya
• Agnihotra
• Gavah (cows)
• Kaca

Tags

• Pralaya
• Ritual
• Agnihotra
• Householder Dharma
• Omens

FAQs

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

It sets an ominous, transitional moment at sunset: normal ritual order (agnihotra completed) contrasts with abnormality (cows return without cowherds and Kaça missing), functioning as a narrative omen consistent with the approaching pralaya atmosphere.

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

It highlights disciplined daily observance—performing agnihotra at the proper time—and attentive stewardship of dependents (cattle and attendants), both key aspects of householder and royal responsibility in the Matsya Purana’s ethical framing.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual point is explicit: agnihotra has been duly offered and the timing is tied to sunset (sandhyā context). No Vastu or temple-architecture rule appears directly in this verse.