Shloka 5

Matsya Purana — Rite of Donating the ‘Mountain of Jaggery’

Devanagari script

यथा देवेषु विश्वात्मा प्रवरो ऽयं जनार्दनः सामवेदस्तु वेदानां महादेवस्तु योगिनाम् //

Transliteration

yathā deveṣu viśvātmā pravaro 'yaṃ janārdanaḥ sāmavedastu vedānāṃ mahādevastu yoginām //

Translation

Just as, among the gods, Janārdana—the Universal Self—is the foremost, so among the Vedas the Sāmaveda is foremost, and among yogins Mahādeva is foremost.

Word by Word

• yathā: just as

• deveṣu: among the gods

• viśvātmā: the Universal Self / Soul of all

• pravaraḥ: the foremost / pre-eminent

• ayam: this

• janārdanaḥ: Janārdana (Viṣṇu)

• sāmavedaḥ: the Sāma Veda

• tu: indeed/and

• vedānām: among the Vedas / of the Vedas

• mahādevaḥ: Mahādeva (Śiva)

• yoginām: among yogins / of yogins

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) relaying a praise passage within the Matsya Purana’s discourse

Entities Mentioned

• Janardana (Vishnu)
• Vishvatman (Universal Self)
• Samaveda
• Mahadeva (Shiva)
• Devas
• Yogins

Tags

• Stuti
• Vaishnava-Shiva harmony
• Vedic hierarchy
• Yoga
• Theology

FAQs

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

This verse does not directly describe pralaya; it establishes a devotional-theological hierarchy, identifying Janārdana as the universal inner Self and praising key exemplars (Sāmaveda, Mahādeva) within their respective domains.

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

Indirectly, it guides dharmic orientation: a king or householder should honor the Supreme (Janārdana), uphold Vedic authority (with special reverence for Sāma’s liturgical tradition), and respect yogic ideals embodied by Mahādeva—supporting balanced devotion, learning, and discipline.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or iconographic rule is stated here; the ritual takeaway is hierarchical reverence—Sāmaveda is highlighted for chant-based worship, implying the importance of correct sacred recitation in yajña and temple liturgy.