Shloka 7

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

Devanagari script

नागाधिपं वासुकिमुग्रवीर्यं सर्पाधिपं तक्षकमादिदेश दिशां गजानामधिपं चकार गजेन्द्रमैरावतनामधेयम् //

Transliteration

nāgādhipaṃ vāsukimugravīryaṃ sarpādhipaṃ takṣakamādideśa diśāṃ gajānāmadhipaṃ cakāra gajendramairāvatanāmadheyam //

Translation

He appointed the mighty Vāsuki as lord of the Nāgas; he commanded Takṣaka to be the lord of serpents; and he made the elephant named Airāvata the sovereign of the directional elephants, the guardians of the quarters.

Word by Word

• नागाधिपम् (nāgādhipam): lord of the Nāgas/serpent-race

• वासुकिम् (vāsukim): Vāsuki

• उग्रवीर्यम् (ugra-vīryam): of fierce power/mighty in prowess

• सर्पाधिपम् (sarpādhipam): lord of serpents

• तक्षकम् (takṣakam): Takṣaka

• आदिदेश (ādideśa): appointed/ordained/commanded

• दिशाम् (diśām): of the directions/quarters

• गजानाम् (gajānām): of the elephants

• अधिपम् (adhipam): ruler/lord

• चकार (cakāra): made/established

• गजेन्द्रम् (gajendram): king of elephants

• ऐरावत-नामधेयम् (airāvata-nāmadheyam): bearing the name Airāvata

Speaker

• Sūta (narrating Purāṇic cosmology/administration; framed as divine ordinance ultimately traceable to Brahmā/Īśvara)

Entities Mentioned

• Vāsuki
• Takṣaka
• Airāvata
• Nāgas
• Sarpa (serpents)
• Diggajas (directional elephants)

Tags

• Creation
• Cosmic administration
• Diggajas
• Nāga lore
• Puranic cosmology

FAQs

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

It reflects post-creation cosmic organization—assigning authoritative guardians to species and directions—rather than describing Pralaya itself.

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

By modeling orderly governance: just as cosmic roles are assigned to maintain harmony, a king or householder should allocate responsibilities and protect domains (people, resources, and boundaries) according to dharma.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The mention of “directions” and their elephant-guardians supports the ritual/Vāstu idea that quarters are presided over by specific powers; orientation and directional guardianship are key when planning temples, altars, and auspicious layouts.