Shloka 18

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

Devanagari script

सागराः सरितः शैला नागा विद्याधराश्च ये हरिश्च भगवनास्ते प्रजापतिपुरःसरः //

Transliteration

sāgarāḥ saritaḥ śailā nāgā vidyādharāśca ye hariśca bhagavanāste prajāpatipuraḥsaraḥ //

Translation

Oceans, rivers, and mountains—together with the Nāgas and the Vidyādharas—and also Hari, the Blessed Lord: all these stand in attendance before Prajāpati, with him as their foremost head.

Word by Word

• सागराः: oceans

• सरितः: rivers

• शैला: mountains

• नागाः: Nāgas (serpent-beings)

• विद्याधराः: Vidyādharas (celestial knowledge-bearers)

• च: and

• ये: who/which

• हरिः: Hari (Viṣṇu)

• च: and

• भगवān: the Blessed Lord

• आस्ते: is present/sits/stands

• प्रजापति: Prajāpati (Lord of creatures, typically Brahmā or a creator-deity)

• पुरःसरः: going in front/at the head/leader (one who precedes).

Speaker

• Sūta (narrative voice) describing a cosmological/assembly setting within the Matsya Purāṇa tradition

Entities Mentioned

• Hari (Vishnu)
• Prajapati
• Sagaras (Oceans)
• Saritas (Rivers)
• Shailas (Mountains)
• Nagas
• Vidyadharas

Tags

• Cosmography
• Divine Assembly
• Prajapati
• Vishnu
• Mythic Beings

FAQs

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

It presents a creation-era (cosmic order) tableau: natural powers (oceans, rivers, mountains) and supernatural races (Nāgas, Vidyādharas) are depicted as part of an ordered universe presided over by Prajāpati, with Hari also present—emphasizing hierarchy and governance rather than dissolution.

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

By portraying all realms—natural and celestial—as aligned under rightful leadership, the verse supports a key Purāṇic ethic: a king or householder should uphold order (dharma), harmonizing diverse constituents under a guiding principle, just as cosmic constituents stand in proper precedence before Prajāpati.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

While not giving direct Vāstu rules, the verse provides a ritual-theological frame used in temple ideology: the cosmos is an ordered hierarchy with a presiding creator (Prajāpati) and Hari—mirrored in temple layouts where procession, precedence, and placement reflect cosmic order.