Shloka 2

Matsya Purana — Secondary Creation: Appointment of Cosmic Regents and Consecration of Directi...

Devanagari script

*सूत उवाच यदाभिषिक्तः सकलाधिराज्ये पृथुर्धरित्र्यामधिपो बभूव तदौषधीनामधिपं चकार यज्ञव्रतानां तपसां च चन्द्रम् //

Transliteration

*sūta uvāca yadābhiṣiktaḥ sakalādhirājye pṛthurdharitryāmadhipo babhūva tadauṣadhīnāmadhipaṃ cakāra yajñavratānāṃ tapasāṃ ca candram //

Translation

Sūta said: When Pṛthu was consecrated to universal sovereignty and became the ruler of the earth, he appointed the Moon as the lord of medicinal herbs, and as the presiding power over sacrifices, sacred vows, and austerities.

Word by Word

• sūtaḥ: Sūta (the narrator)

• uvāca: said

• yadā: when

• abhiṣiktaḥ: consecrated/anointed

• sakala-adhirājye: in universal/complete sovereignty

• pṛthuḥ: King Pṛthu

• dharitryām: over the earth

• adhipaḥ: lord/ruler

• babhūva: became

• tadā: then

• auṣadhīnām: of herbs/medicinal plants

• adhipam: overlord/presiding lord

• cakāra: made/appointed

• yajña-vratānām: of sacrificial rites and religious vows

• tapasām: of austerities/penances

• ca: and

• candram: the Moon (Candra).

Speaker

• Sūta (Sūta Ugraśravas)

Entities Mentioned

• Pṛthu
• Candra (Moon)

Tags

• Dynasties
• Rajadharma
• Consecration
• Ritual
• Cosmic order

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it presents a governance-and-cosmology theme where a consecrated king (Pṛthu) establishes ordered oversight in the world by assigning the Moon authority over herbs and ritual disciplines.

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

It reflects Rajadharma: a rightful king is portrayed as one who stabilizes society by instituting proper authorities and supporting yajña, vows, and tapas—i.e., safeguarding the religious-ethical framework that householders and ascetics follow.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it links Candra to herbs (auṣadhi) and to yajña-vrata-tapas, implying lunar sanctity in observances, offerings, and disciplined practice—useful for understanding timing/auspiciousness and the sacral logic behind ritual materials like medicinal plants.