Shloka 9

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

Devanagari script

शबला नाम ते विप्राः समेताः सृष्टिहेतवः नारदो ऽनुगतान्प्राह पुनस्तान्पूर्ववत्स तान् //

Transliteration

śabalā nāma te viprāḥ sametāḥ sṛṣṭihetavaḥ nārado 'nugatānprāha punastānpūrvavatsa tān //

Translation

Those Brahmin sages, known as the Śabalas, assembled together as instruments of creation. Narada, having followed after them, addressed them again, just as before.

Word by Word

• śabalā nāma: named Śabalas

• te: those

• viprāḥ: Brahmin sages

• sametāḥ: assembled, gathered

• sṛṣṭi-hetavaḥ: causes/instruments of creation

• nāradaḥ: the sage Nārada

• anugatān: those who had been followed (by him)/those he followed

• prāha: said, addressed

• punaḥ: again

• tān: them

• pūrvavat: as previously, as before

• sa: he

• tān: them

Speaker

• Sūta (narrator) relaying the Purāṇic account (contextually within the Matsya Purana’s dialogue frame)

Entities Mentioned

• Śabala (Śabalas)
• Nārada
• Vipras (Brahmin sages)

Tags

• Creation
• Sarga
• Rishis
• Narada
• Cosmogony

FAQs

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

It points to creation (sarga), describing a group of sages (the Śabalas) as ‘sṛṣṭihetavaḥ’—instruments/causes through whom creation proceeds, with Nārada interacting with them as part of the unfolding cosmogonic narrative.

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

Indirectly, it reinforces a Purāṇic ethic: ordered society depends on guidance from wise Brahmin seers; kings and householders are expected to honor and consult such sages to keep dharma and social order aligned with the cosmic order.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No explicit Vāstu or temple-rule detail appears in this verse; its ritual takeaway is the prominence of rishis and Nārada in transmitting and reasserting sacred instruction ‘as before,’ a pattern typical of ritual and doctrinal continuity.