Shloka 29

Matsya Purana — Kailasa

Devanagari script

तत्रेष्ट्वा क्रतुभिः सिद्धः शक्रः सुरगणैः सह दिव्यश्छायापथस् तत्र नक्षत्राणां तु मण्डलम् //

Transliteration

tatreṣṭvā kratubhiḥ siddhaḥ śakraḥ suragaṇaiḥ saha divyaśchāyāpathas tatra nakṣatrāṇāṃ tu maṇḍalam //

Translation

There, having performed sacrifices (kratus) and attained accomplishment, Śakra (Indra) is established together with the hosts of gods. There is the divine Chāyāpatha, the celestial “path of shadow,” and there indeed is the Nakṣatra-maṇḍala, the circular array of the constellations.

Word by Word

• tatra: there

• iṣṭvā: having worshipped / having sacrificed

• kratubhiḥ: by means of sacrificial rites (kratus)

• siddhaḥ: accomplished, perfected, established

• śakraḥ: Śakra, Indra

• sura-gaṇaiḥ: with the groups/hosts of gods

• saha: together with

• divyaḥ: divine, celestial

• chāyāpathaḥ: the path of shadow (a celestial track/region)

• tatra: there

• nakṣatrāṇām: of the nakṣatras (lunar mansions/asterisms)

• tu: indeed, moreover

• maṇḍalam: circle, disk, मंडल (circular array).

Speaker

• Sūta (narrating the Matsya Purāṇa’s cosmological description, traditionally within the Matsya–Manu dialogue framework)

Entities Mentioned

• Śakra (Indra)
• Sura-gaṇa (hosts of gods)
• Chāyāpatha
• Nakṣatra-maṇḍala (circle of constellations)

Tags

• Cosmology
• Nakshatras
• Indra
• Celestial geography
• Ritual merit

FAQs

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

This verse is not describing Pralaya directly; it maps the ordered celestial realm—Indra’s accomplished station and the divine celestial tracks—implying a structured cosmos rather than dissolution.

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

By highlighting Indra’s ‘siddhi’ through kratu (sacrifice), it reinforces the Purāṇic ideal that righteous ritual performance and dharmic action sustain cosmic order—an ethical model for kings and householders who uphold yajña, charity, and prescribed duties.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it emphasizes kratu (Vedic sacrificial performance) as a means to attain siddhi and divine status; architecturally, the term maṇḍala supports the broader Purāṇic/Vāstu idea of sacred circular/cosmic diagrams used in altar layout and temple planning (mandala-based orientation to celestial order).