Shloka 7

Matsya Purana — Śiva–Pārvatī Quarrel and Pārvatī’s Resolve for Austerity to Attain Gaurī-hood

Devanagari script

नाहं पूष्णो ऽपि दशना नेत्रे चास्मि भगस्य हि आदित्यश्च विजानाति भगवान्द्वादशात्मकः //

Transliteration

nāhaṃ pūṣṇo 'pi daśanā netre cāsmi bhagasya hi ādityaśca vijānāti bhagavāndvādaśātmakaḥ //

Translation

“I am not the teeth of Pūṣan; nor indeed am I the eyes of Bhaga. The Lord Sun—who is twelvefold in nature—knows (and apportions) these (functions) as he truly is.”

Word by Word

• na aham: I am not

• pūṣṇaḥ api: even of Pūṣan

• daśanāḥ: the teeth

• netre ca asmi: nor am I the eyes

• bhagasya hi: indeed of Bhaga

• ādityaḥ ca: and the Sun (Āditya)

• vijānāti: knows, discerns, apportions

• bhagavān: the Blessed Lord

• dvādaśa-ātmakaḥ: having a twelvefold nature (as the twelve Ādityas / twelve solar aspects).

Speaker

• Likely Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu on Āditya theology (contextual attribution within Matsya Purana dialogues)

Entities Mentioned

• Pūṣan
• Bhaga
• Āditya (Sun)
• Dvādāśātmaka (twelvefold solar form)

Tags

• Āditya
• Devatā-tattva
• Iconography
• Vedic deities
• Solar theology

FAQs

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

Indirectly, it teaches cosmic governance: the Sun as a twelvefold principle regulates and assigns divine functions—an idea that supports the Purāṇic view of orderly cosmic maintenance that continues across cycles, including after Pralaya.

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

It frames authority as delegated and ordered: just as Āditya apportions functions among deities, a king or householder should assign roles responsibly, respect established duties (svadharma), and avoid claiming powers that are not theirs.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it supports Sun-centered worship and the recognition of distinct solar aspects (twelvefold Āditya), which can guide monthly observances, naming of solar forms, and iconographic/ritual differentiation in temple or household worship.