Shloka 4

Matsya Purana — Pitṛ Worlds

Devanagari script

यक्षरक्षोगणाश्चैव यजन्ति दिवि देवताः पुलस्त्यपुत्राः शतशस् तपोयोगसमन्विताः //

Transliteration

yakṣarakṣogaṇāścaiva yajanti divi devatāḥ pulastyaputrāḥ śataśas tapoyogasamanvitāḥ //

Translation

The hosts of Yakṣas and Rākṣasas too worship the gods in heaven; and the sons of Pulastya—by the hundreds—endowed with austerity and yogic discipline, likewise perform that worship.

Word by Word

• यक्ष (yakṣa): Yaksha, a class of semi-divine beings

• रक्षोगणाः (rakṣo-gaṇāḥ): groups/hosts of Rakshasas

• च एव (ca eva): and indeed/also

• यजन्ति (yajanti): worship, perform sacrifice

• दिवि (divi): in heaven, in the celestial realm

• देवताः (devatāḥ): the deities/gods

• पुलस्त्यपुत्राः (pulastya-putrāḥ): the sons/descendants of Pulastya (a Prajapati/Rishi)

• शतशः (śataśaḥ): by hundreds, in great numbers

• तपोयोगसमन्विताः (tapo-yoga-samanvitāḥ): endowed with tapas (austerity) and yoga (spiritual discipline)

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Yakshas
• Rakshasas
• Devas (Devatas)
• Pulastya

Tags

• Celestial beings
• Worship
• Tapas
• Yoga
• Genealogy

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; it emphasizes the ordered cosmos in which even Yakshas and Rakshasas participate in divine worship, showing continuity of ritual hierarchy across cosmic ages.

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

It supports the Purāṇic ethic that worship (yajña/arcana) and disciplined practice (tapas-yoga) are universal duties across ranks; for kings/householders it implies sustaining dharma through regular worship and self-restraint.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it highlights yajña/worship as a celestial norm and links effective worship with tapas and yoga; no direct Vāstu or temple-building rule is stated in this verse.