Shloka 55

Matsya Purana — Navagraha Sacrifice for Planetary Pacification and Prosperity

Devanagari script

देवदानवगन्धर्वा यक्षराक्षसपन्नगाः ऋषयो मुनयो गावो देवमातर एव च //

Transliteration

devadānavagandharvā yakṣarākṣasapannagāḥ ṛṣayo munayo gāvo devamātara eva ca //

Translation

Devas, Dānavas, Gandharvas, Yakṣas, Rākṣasas, and serpent-beings; Ṛṣis and Munis; cows; and the divine Mothers as well—(all are included).

Word by Word

• devaḥ: god, celestial deity

• dānavaḥ: demon of the Danu lineage (asura-class)

• gandharvaḥ: celestial musician

• yakṣaḥ: nature-spirit/guardian being

• rākṣasaḥ: ogre/demon class

• pannagaḥ: serpent-being (nāga)

• ṛṣiḥ: seer/sage

• muniḥ: ascetic sage

• gāvaḥ (go): cows

• devamātaraḥ: divine Mothers (Mātṛkās/goddess-mothers)

• eva ca: and indeed/also

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) addressing Vaivasvata Manu (contextual attribution within the Matsya–Manu dialogue)

Entities Mentioned

• Devas
• Danavas
• Gandharvas
• Yakshas
• Rakshasas
• Pannagas (Nagas)
• Rishis
• Munis
• Cows (Go)
• Deva-Matarah (Divine Mothers/Matrikas)

Tags

• Cosmology
• Puranic beings
• Devas and Asuras
• Sacred categories
• Devotional enumeration

FAQs

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

This verse functions as a cosmological enumeration: it signals that multiple orders of beings—divine, demonic, semi-divine, serpentine, and sage communities—are encompassed in the Purāṇic worldview, implying the totality of creation that is preserved or reabsorbed across cosmic cycles.

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

By explicitly including ṛṣis/munis and cows, the verse aligns with Purāṇic ethics: rulers and householders are expected to protect sages and uphold go-rakṣā (cow-protection), treating these as pillars of dharma alongside reverence for divine powers.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu rule appears in this line, but the mention of the Divine Mothers (devamātaraḥ) is ritually significant: Mātṛkā worship commonly accompanies protective rites and temple/installation ceremonies, where such deities are invoked for guardianship and auspiciousness.