Shloka 2

Matsya Purana — Solar Dynasty Prelude: Vivasvān–Saṃjñā–Chāyā

Devanagari script

*सूत उवाच विवस्वान्कश्यपात् पूर्वम् अदित्यामभवत् सुतः तस्य पत्नीत्रयं तद्वत् संज्ञा राज्ञी प्रभा तथा //

Transliteration

*sūta uvāca vivasvānkaśyapāt pūrvam adityāmabhavat sutaḥ tasya patnītrayaṃ tadvat saṃjñā rājñī prabhā tathā //

Translation

Sūta said: “Earlier, Vivasvān was born as a son to Aditi from Kaśyapa. Likewise, he had three wives—Saṃjñā, the queen, and also Prabhā.”}]}}

Word by Word

sūtaḥSūta (the narrator)

uvācasaid

vivasvānVivasvān (the Sun-god)

kaśyapātfrom Kaśyapa

pūrvamformerly/earlier

adityāmin/through Aditi (Aditi as mother)

abhavatbecame/was born

sutaḥson

tasyaof him

patnī-trayamthree wives

tadvatlikewise/in the same manner

saṃjñāSaṃjñā (name of a consort)

rājñīqueen/royal lady

prabhāPrabhā (name of a consort)

tathāand also/likewise

Speaker

Suta

Entities Mentioned

SutaVivasvanKashyapaAditiSamjnaPrabha

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya; it establishes genealogy—Vivasvān’s birth from Kaśyapa and Aditi—used in the Purāṇa to anchor later Manvantara and dynastic narratives.

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

Indirectly, it supports the Purāṇic model of dharma through lineage: royal/solar genealogies legitimize kingship and social duties by tracing rulers and divine figures back to recognized ancestral lines.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or ritual procedure is taught in this verse; its function is genealogical cataloging rather than temple architecture or rite-instruction.