Shloka 9

Matsya Purana — Nārāyaṇa as Haṃsa in the Cosmic Ocean: Vedic Yajña-Puruṣa and Mārkaṇḍeya’s Vi...

Devanagari script

उदरात्प्रतिहर्तारं पोतारं चैव पार्थिव अच्छावाकमथोरुभ्यां नेष्टारं चैव पार्थिव //

Transliteration

udarātpratihartāraṃ potāraṃ caiva pārthiva acchāvākamathorubhyāṃ neṣṭāraṃ caiva pārthiva //

Translation

From among those connected with the Udara (a designated group/line for this office), O king, one should appoint the Pratihartṛ and the Potṛ; likewise, from the two Urubhyas one should appoint the Acchāvāka and also the Neṣṭṛ, O king.

Word by Word

• udarāt: from (the group termed) Udara / from the Udara-class

• pratihartāram: the Pratihartṛ (assistant who responds/returns calls, a ritual functionary)

• potāram: the Potṛ (purifier/strain-er of soma, a priestly office)

• ca eva: and indeed

• pārthiva: O king

• acchāvākam: the Acchāvāka (reciter/invoker in Soma rites)

• atha: then/also

• urubhyām: from the two called Urubhyas (a specified pair/lineage/group for appointment)

• neṣṭāram: the Neṣṭṛ (leader who guides/ushers ritual actions, an officiant)

• ca eva: and indeed

• pārthiva: O king

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (instructing Vaivasvata Manu / the King)

Entities Mentioned

• Pratihartṛ
• Potṛ
• Acchāvāka
• Neṣṭṛ

Tags

• Śrauta
• Yajña
• Priesthood
• Ritual Procedure
• Rajadharma

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it outlines technical appointments of specific Śrauta-yajña officiants (Pratihartṛ, Potṛ, Acchāvāka, Neṣṭṛ) and therefore belongs to ritual-administrative instruction rather than cosmology.

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

It frames priestly selection as a kingly duty: ensuring sacrifices are conducted by correctly designated specialists from the proper groups/lines, reflecting Rajadharma—maintaining order, orthopraxy, and legitimacy of public rites.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritual significance: it specifies which categories/groups should supply key Soma-rite functionaries (Potṛ, Acchāvāka, Neṣṭṛ, etc.), emphasizing correct staffing as essential for a valid Vedic sacrifice.