Shloka 16

Matsya Purana — Procedure for Going to Prayaga and the Greatness of the Ganga

Devanagari script

लोकपालाश्च साध्याश्च पितरो लोकसंमताः सनत्कुमारप्रमुखास् तथैव परमर्षयः //

Transliteration

lokapālāśca sādhyāśca pitaro lokasaṃmatāḥ sanatkumārapramukhās tathaiva paramarṣayaḥ //

Translation

There too are the Lokapālas, the Guardians of the Directions, the Sādhyas, and the Pitṛs revered throughout the world; likewise the supreme seers, headed by Sanatkumāra.

Word by Word

• लोकपालाः: guardians of the worlds/directions

• च: and

• साध्याः: the Sādhyas (a class of celestial deities)

• च: and

• पितरः: the Pitṛs/ancestral Fathers

• लोकसंमताः: approved and venerated by the world, universally esteemed

• सनत्कुमार-प्रमुखाः: headed by Sanatkumāra

• तथा एव: likewise, in the same manner

• परमर्षयः: supreme ṛṣis, highest sages

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu, within the Purāṇic narration framework)

Entities Mentioned

• Lokapālas
• Sādhyas
• Pitṛs
• Sanatkumāra
• Paramarṣis

Tags

• Cosmology
• Deva-gaṇas
• Pitṛs
• Rishis
• Matsya Purana

FAQs

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

Indirectly, it situates the cosmic order by naming divine classes (Lokapālas, Sādhyas) and primordial authorities (Pitṛs, Paramarṣis), indicating that even across cosmic cycles the Purāṇa emphasizes stable hierarchies of beings rather than describing a specific Pralaya event in this line.

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

By foregrounding the Pitṛs and revered sages, it supports the Purāṇic ethic that householders maintain śrāddha/ancestral rites and honor ṛṣis and devas; kings similarly uphold dharma by supporting ritual order and protecting the quarters symbolically associated with the Lokapālas.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, the verse legitimizes invoking these divine groups in offerings and commemorations (especially Pitṛ-kārya). Architecturally, Lokapālas are commonly mapped to directions, a principle later used in Vāstu orientation and directional guardianship—though no specific building rule is stated in this verse.