Shloka 43

Matsya Purana — Navagraha Sacrifice for Planetary Pacification and Prosperity

Devanagari script

सहस्रशीर्षा पुरुष इति विष्णोरुदाहृतः इन्द्रायेन्दो मरुत्वत इति शक्रस्य शस्यते //

Transliteration

sahasraśīrṣā puruṣa iti viṣṇorudāhṛtaḥ indrāyendo marutvata iti śakrasya śasyate //

Translation

“The Puruṣa with a thousand heads”—thus Viṣṇu is proclaimed. And “Indra—O Soma, accompanied by the Maruts”—thus Śakra (Indra) is celebrated in praise.

Word by Word

• सहस्र-शीर्षा (sahasra-śīrṣā): thousand-headed

• पुरुषः (puruṣaḥ): the Cosmic Person

• इति (iti): thus/so

• विष्णोः (viṣṇoḥ): of Viṣṇu

• उदाहृतः (udāhṛtaḥ): is uttered/declared

• इन्द्राय (indrāya): to Indra/for Indra

• इन्दो (indo): O Indu/Soma

• मरुत्वत (marutvat): accompanied by the Maruts

• इति (iti): thus

• शक्रस्य (śakrasya): of Śakra (Indra)

• शस्यते (śasyate): is praised/celebrated.

Speaker

• Likely Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu in a didactic passage on Vedic epithets and praise-names (stuti).

Entities Mentioned

• Vishnu
• Purusha
• Indra
• Shakra
• Soma (Indu)
• Maruts

Tags

• Stotra
• Vedic Epithets
• Deva-Praise
• Mantra
• Purusha-Sukta

FAQs

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

Indirectly, it points to Viṣṇu as the cosmic Puruṣa (“sahasraśīrṣā”), the all-pervading principle behind cosmic order—an idea used in Purāṇas to frame both creation and re-absorption, though this verse itself is focused on praise-epithets rather than narrating Pralaya.

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

It models correct stuti (praise) and mantra-aware devotion: a king or householder is encouraged to honor Viṣṇu and the devas with scripturally recognized epithets, supporting dharma through regulated worship, recitation, and gratitude toward the cosmic and social order.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it indicates mantra-style identification of deities by Vedic phrases—useful for nyāsa, stotra-recitation, and deity-invocation in pūjā. No direct Vāstu or temple-measurement rule appears, but it supports correct liturgical naming in consecration and daily worship.