Shloka 32

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

Devanagari script

दिक्षु सर्वासु ये रक्षां प्रकुर्वन्ति गणेश्वराः पुत्रपौत्रसुताश्चैते सुरभीगर्भसम्भवाः //

Transliteration

dikṣu sarvāsu ye rakṣāṃ prakurvanti gaṇeśvarāḥ putrapautrasutāścaite surabhīgarbhasambhavāḥ //

Translation

Those chiefs of the divine hosts (Gaṇeśvaras) who provide protection in all directions—these are the sons, grandsons, and descendants born from Surabhī’s womb.

Word by Word

• dikṣu: in the directions

• sarvāsu: in all

• ye: who

• rakṣām: protection/guarding

• prakurvanti: perform/bring about

• gaṇa-īśvarāḥ: lords/chiefs of the hosts (gaṇas)

• putra: sons

• pauta: grandsons

• sutāḥ: offspring/descendants

• ca: and

• ete: these

• surabhī: Surabhī (the divine cow)

• garbha: womb

• sambhavāḥ: born/originating

Speaker

• Likely Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu in a descriptive/narrative register)

Entities Mentioned

• Surabhī
• Gaṇeśvarāḥ (chiefs of protective hosts)
• Dik (the directions)

Tags

• Raksha
• Directional guardians
• Protective deities
• Puranic cosmology
• Ritual context

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; it instead classifies protective beings assigned to all directions, emphasizing cosmic order and safeguarding functions rather than dissolution.

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

By identifying directional protectors, it supports the idea that rulers and householders should establish ritual and spatial protection (rakṣā) for realms, homes, and rites—aligning governance and domestic life with ordered guardianship.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Directional protection is a core ritual-architectural principle: in Vastu and consecration contexts, safeguarding the quarters (dik) is invoked through guardian-deities/hosts to secure the site and the undertaking.