Shloka 14

Matsya Purana — Navagraha Sacrifice for Planetary Pacification and Prosperity

Devanagari script

ब्रह्माणं च गुरोर्विद्याच् छुक्रस्यापि शचीपतिम् शनैश्चरस्य तु यमं राहोः कालं तथैव च //

Transliteration

brahmāṇaṃ ca gurorvidyāc chukrasyāpi śacīpatim śanaiścarasya tu yamaṃ rāhoḥ kālaṃ tathaiva ca //

Translation

One should know Brahmā as the presiding deity of Jupiter (Guru); Indra (the lord of Śacī) as that of Venus (Śukra); Yama as that of Saturn (Śanaiścara); and Kāla (Time/Death) likewise as that of Rāhu.

Word by Word

• ब्रह्माणम् (brahmāṇam): Brahmā

• च (ca): and

• गुरोः (guroḥ): of Guru/Jupiter

• विद्याच् (vidyāc): should know/should understand

• छुक्रस्य (chukrasya): of Śukra/Venus

• अपि (api): also

• शचीपतिम् (śacīpatim): Śacī’s lord, i.e., Indra

• शनैश्चरस्य (śanaiścarasya): of Śanaiścara/Saturn

• तु (tu): indeed

• यमम् (yamam): Yama (lord of death, dharma-judge)

• राहोः (rāhoḥ): of Rāhu

• कालम् (kālam): Kāla (Time/Death)

• तथैव (tathaiva): in the same way

• च (ca): and.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, within a teaching on graha-devatās and śānti)

Entities Mentioned

• Brahmā
• Guru (Jupiter)
• Śukra (Venus)
• Śacīpati (Indra)
• Śanaiścara (Saturn)
• Yama
• Rāhu
• Kāla

Tags

• Jyotiṣa
• Graha-Devata
• Graha-Śānti
• Ritual
• Dharma

FAQs

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

It does not narrate pralaya directly; it frames cosmic governance by linking grahas to higher deities (Brahmā, Yama, Kāla), implying Time (Kāla) and cosmic order operate through planetary agencies.

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

By knowing the presiding deities of grahas, a king or householder can perform appropriate graha-śānti and dharmic rites to reduce afflictions, support prosperity, and maintain social order—standard Purāṇic guidance for righteous governance and household stability.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual significance is primary: it provides deity-correspondences used when choosing mantras, offerings, and worship targets in graha-śānti; it is not a Vāstu/temple-measurement rule but can guide navagraha worship placement and consecration intent.