Shloka 51

Matsya Purana — Lineage of the Pitṛs

Devanagari script

देवलोके तथेन्द्राणी ब्रह्मास्येषु सरस्वती सूर्यबिम्बे प्रभा नाम मातॄणां वैष्णवी मता //

Transliteration

devaloke tathendrāṇī brahmāsyeṣu sarasvatī sūryabimbe prabhā nāma mātṝṇāṃ vaiṣṇavī matā //

Translation

In the realm of the gods is Indrāṇī; upon the face of Brahmā is Sarasvatī; in the orb of the Sun is the radiance named Prabhā; and among the Mother-goddesses she is regarded as Vaiṣṇavī.

Word by Word

• devaloke: in the world/realm of the gods

• tathā: likewise/indeed

• indrāṇī: Indrāṇī (Śacī), consort/power of Indra

• brahma-āsyeṣu: on/in the faces (countenances) of Brahmā

• sarasvatī: Sarasvatī (goddess of speech/knowledge)

• sūrya-bimbe: in the sun-disc/orb of the Sun

• prabhā: radiance, lustre

• nāma: named/called

• mātṝṇām: among the Mothers (Mātṛkās)

• vaiṣṇavī: Vaiṣṇavī (Viṣṇu’s śakti)

• matā: is considered/held to be.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu, continuing a descriptive listing of divine correspondences)

Entities Mentioned

• Indrāṇī
• Brahmā
• Sarasvatī
• Sūrya
• Prabhā
• Mātṛkās
• Vaiṣṇavī
• Viṣṇu (implied by Vaiṣṇavī)

Tags

• Devi
• Matrika
• Iconography
• Cosmology
• Deity-correspondences

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; it maps specific śaktis (divine powers) to realms and cosmic loci (devaloka, Brahmā’s face, the sun-disc), reflecting an ordered cosmos rather than dissolution.

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

Indirectly, it supports dhārmic worship and right orientation in ritual life: knowing which deities and śaktis preside over cosmic domains guides proper devotion, festival observance, and patronage of temples and learning (Sarasvatī).

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it informs Devī-upāsanā and iconographic identification (e.g., Vaiṣṇavī among the Mātṛkās, Prabhā linked with Sūrya). Such correspondences are often used when selecting deities for installation and aligning worship with cosmic symbolism.