Shloka 9

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

Devanagari script

जिगीषया ततो देवा वव्रुराङ्गिरसं मुनिम् पौरोहित्ये च यज्ञार्थे काव्यं तूशनसं परे //

Transliteration

jigīṣayā tato devā vavrurāṅgirasaṃ munim paurohitye ca yajñārthe kāvyaṃ tūśanasaṃ pare //

Translation

Then, desiring victory, the gods chose the sage of the Aṅgiras lineage as their chief priest; and the others, for the purpose of sacrifice, chose Kāvya Uśanas (Śukra) as their officiant.

Word by Word

• जिगीषया (jigīṣayā): with the desire to conquer, seeking victory

• ततः (tataḥ): then, thereafter

• देवाः (devāḥ): the gods

• वव्रुः (vavruḥ): chose, selected

• आङ्गिरसम् (āṅgirasaṃ): belonging to the Aṅgiras line

• मुनिम् (munim): the sage

• पौरोहित्ये (paurohitye): for the office of family/principal priest (purohita)

• च (ca): and

• यज्ञार्थे (yajñārthe): for the purpose of sacrifice/ritual

• काव्यम् (kāvyaṃ): Kāvya (of the Bhṛgu line), i.e., Śukra

• तूशनसम् (tūśanasaṃ): Uśanas (a name of Śukra)

• परे (pare): the others, the opposing side/others (contextually: asuras/daityas).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) speaking to Vaivasvata Manu (contextual narration of ancient events)

Entities Mentioned

• Devas
• Angirasa (Aṅgiras lineage)
• Kāvya Uśanas (Śukra)
• Purohita
• Yajña

Tags

• Yajna
• Purohita
• Deva-Asura
• Ritual Office
• Priestly Lineages

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe pralaya; it highlights how victory and cosmic order are pursued through properly appointed priests and correctly performed yajñas.

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

It implies that success in righteous aims depends on appointing qualified purohitas and conducting sacrifices with proper authority—an ethical model mirrored in a king’s reliance on learned advisers and a householder’s adherence to correct ritual practice.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual significance is explicit: selecting an authorized purohita for yajña. It underscores the Matsya Purana’s emphasis that rites gain efficacy through correct officiants and lineage-based ritual competence.