Shloka 41

Matsya Purana — Navagraha Sacrifice for Planetary Pacification and Prosperity

Devanagari script

चित्रगुप्तस्य चाज्ञातम् इति मन्त्रविदो विदुः अग्निं दूतं वृणीमह इति वह्नेरुदाहृतः //

Transliteration

citraguptasya cājñātam iti mantravido viduḥ agniṃ dūtaṃ vṛṇīmaha iti vahnerudāhṛtaḥ //

Translation

Those versed in the mantras know the formula “unknown even to Citragupta” as pertaining to Citragupta. And the mantra “We choose Agni as our messenger” is declared to pertain to Vahni (Agni).

Word by Word

• चित्रगुप्तस्य (citraguptasya): of Citragupta

• च (ca): and

• अज्ञातम् (ajñātam): unknown, not recorded/known

• इति (iti): thus (quotation marker)

• मन्त्रविदः (mantravidaḥ): knowers of mantras

• विदुः (viduḥ): know/understand

• अग्निम् (agnim): Agni (fire)

• दूतम् (dūtam): messenger, envoy

• वृणीमहे (vṛṇīmahe): we choose, we appoint

• इति (iti): thus

• वह्नेः (vahneḥ): of Vahni/Agni

• उदाहृतः (udāhṛtaḥ): is cited/declared.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, within a ritual/mantra-teaching context)

Entities Mentioned

• Citragupta
• Agni (Vahni)

Tags

• Mantra
• Ritual
• Agni
• Citragupta
• Dharma

FAQs

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

This verse does not directly discuss Pralaya; it focuses on mantra-identification and ritual usage, especially the idea of acts or intentions being “unknown even to Citragupta,” highlighting a sphere beyond ordinary karmic record-keeping.

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

It implies that dharmic action involves correct mantra-knowledge and ritual intent; even if worldly records (symbolized by Citragupta’s accounts) do not capture everything, a king or householder should still act with integrity and proper sacrificial/ritual procedure.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it identifies Agni as the chosen “messenger” (dūta) in a mantra—Agni functions as the carrier of offerings and prayers to the gods, a key principle behind yajña procedures often cited across Purāṇic ritual sections.