Shloka 15

Matsya Purana — Origin of Soma

Devanagari script

विंशतिं च तथा सप्त दक्षः प्राचेतसो ददौ रूपलावण्यसंयुक्तास् तस्मै कन्याः सुवर्चसः //

Transliteration

viṃśatiṃ ca tathā sapta dakṣaḥ prācetaso dadau rūpalāvaṇyasaṃyuktās tasmai kanyāḥ suvarcasaḥ //

Translation

Dakṣa, the son of Pracetas, gave him twenty-seven daughters—radiant maidens endowed with beauty and grace.

Word by Word

• viṃśatim: twenty

• ca: and

• tathā: likewise

• sapta: seven

• dakṣaḥ: Dakṣa

• prācetasaḥ: son/descendant of the Pracetas

• dadau: gave

• rūpa: beauty/form

• lāvaṇya: grace/charm

• saṃyuktāḥ: endowed with/possessing

• tasmai: to him

• kanyāḥ: daughters/maidens

• suvarcasaḥ: splendid, radiant, of fine lustre

Speaker

• Suta (Purana-narrator) reporting the lineage account (within the Matsya Purana’s genealogical narration)

Entities Mentioned

• Daksha
• Pracetas
• Twenty-seven daughters

Tags

• Genealogy
• Prajapati
• Dynasties
• Marriage alliances
• Creation lore

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; it contributes to creation-era ordering by detailing Prajāpati Dakṣa’s progeny and the structured continuation of lineages through marriage.

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

By highlighting sanctioned marriage alliances and progeny, it supports the householder ideal of sustaining social and cosmic order (dharma) through lawful family formation and lineage continuity.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or ritual procedure is specified in this verse; its primary significance is genealogical—establishing progeny networks that later frame ritual lineages and calendrical/mythic traditions.