Shloka 52

Matsya Purana — Navagraha Sacrifice for Planetary Pacification and Prosperity

Devanagari script

आखण्डलो ऽग्निर्भगवान् यमो वै निरृतिस्तथा वरुणः पवनश्चैव धनाध्यक्षस्तथा शिवः ब्रह्मणा सहितः शेषो दिक्पालास्त्वामवन्तु ते //

Transliteration

ākhaṇḍalo 'gnirbhagavān yamo vai nirṛtistathā varuṇaḥ pavanaścaiva dhanādhyakṣastathā śivaḥ brahmaṇā sahitaḥ śeṣo dikpālāstvāmavantu te //

Translation

May Indra (Ākhaṇḍala), the blessed Fire-god Agni, Yama, Nirṛti, Varuṇa, and Vāyu; likewise Kubera, Śiva, and Śeṣa together with Brahmā—may these guardians of the directions protect you.

Word by Word

• आखण्डलः (Ākhaṇḍala/Indra): Indra, slayer of foes

• अग्निः (agniḥ): Fire-god

• भगवān: the venerable/divine one

• यमः (yamaḥ): Yama, lord of justice and death

• वै (vai): indeed

• निरृतिः (nirṛtiḥ): Nirṛti, deity of decay/southwest

• तथा (tathā): and also

• वरुणः (varuṇaḥ): Varuṇa, lord of waters and moral order

• पवनः (pavanaḥ): Vāyu/Wind

• च एव (caiva): and also

• धनाध्यक्षः (dhanādhyakṣaḥ): lord of wealth (Kubera)

• तथा (tathā): likewise

• शिवः (śivaḥ): Śiva

• ब्रह्मणा सहितः (brahmaṇā sahitaḥ): together with Brahmā

• शेषः (śeṣaḥ): Śeṣa/Ananta, cosmic serpent

• दिक्पालाः (dikpālāḥ): guardians of the directions

• त्वाम् (tvām): you

• अवन्तु (avantu): may they protect

• ते (te): you/for you

Speaker

• Likely Lord Matsya (instructing Vaivasvata Manu) within a protective/ritual instruction context

Entities Mentioned

• Ākhaṇḍala (Indra)
• Agni
• Yama
• Nirṛti
• Varuṇa
• Vāyu (Pavana)
• Kubera (Dhanādhyakṣa)
• Śiva
• Brahmā
• Śeṣa (Ananta)
• Dikpālas (Directional Guardians)

Tags

• Dikpala
• Protection Mantra
• Ritual Invocation
• Puranic Deities
• Matsya Purana

FAQs

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

It does not describe pralaya directly; it reflects the Puranic idea that cosmic order is upheld by divinities assigned to directions and functions, whose protection is invoked to preserve stability amid danger.

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

It supports the duty of maintaining auspicious protection (rakṣā) through proper invocations—relevant to kings for safeguarding the realm and to householders for securing rites, journeys, and consecrations under the guardianship of the dikpālas.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Invoking the dikpālas is a standard ritual foundation for Vāstu and temple work: directions are sacralized before construction, installation (pratiṣṭhā), or major rites, aligning the site with the deities who preside over each quarter.