Shloka 21

Matsya Purana — Origins of Gods and Beings: Daksha’s Progeny

Devanagari script

आपो ध्रुवश्च सोमश्च धरश्चैवानिलो ऽनलः प्रत्यूषश्च प्रभासश्च वसवो ऽष्टौ प्रकीर्तिताः //

Transliteration

āpo dhruvaśca somaśca dharaścaivānilo 'nalaḥ pratyūṣaśca prabhāsaśca vasavo 'ṣṭau prakīrtitāḥ //

Translation

Āpa, Dhruva, Soma, Dhara, Anila, Anala, Pratyūṣa, and Prabhāsa—these are proclaimed as the eight Vasus.

Word by Word

• āpaḥ: Āpa (the Vasu associated with waters)

• dhruvaḥ: Dhruva (the fixed/steadfast one)

• somaḥ: Soma (the lunar deity/nectar principle)

• dharaḥ: Dhara (the sustainer/bearer)

• anilaḥ: Anila (wind/air)

• analaḥ: Anala (fire)

• pratyūṣaḥ: Pratyūṣa (dawn/early light)

• prabhāsaḥ: Prabhāsa (radiance/splendour)

• vasavaḥ: the Vasus (a class of deities)

• aṣṭau: eight

• prakīrtitāḥ: are declared/proclaimed

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Aṣṭa Vasus
• Āpa
• Dhruva
• Soma
• Dhara
• Anila
• Anala
• Pratyūṣa
• Prabhāsa

Tags

• Deva-gana
• Aṣṭa Vasus
• Cosmology
• Puranic taxonomy
• Creation themes

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; it identifies the Aṣṭa Vasus—cosmic deities linked with elemental forces (water, wind, fire, radiance) that structure and sustain the ordered universe.

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

Indirectly, it supports dharmic worldview: knowing the deities and cosmic principles is part of traditional learning (śruti-smṛti-purāṇa knowledge) that guides righteous governance and household rituals, though no specific royal or domestic duty is stated here.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No explicit Vāstu or temple rule is given, but the Vasus are commonly invoked as elemental regulators; such deity-lists often underpin ritual invocations and directional/elemental harmonization used in Vedic-Puranic worship frameworks.