Shloka 36

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

Devanagari script

नासापुटाभ्यामुत्सृष्टं परो ऽयमिति शङ्कया तद्रेतसस् ततो जाताव् अश्विनाव् इति निश्चितम् //

Transliteration

nāsāpuṭābhyāmutsṛṣṭaṃ paro 'yamiti śaṅkayā tadretasas tato jātāv aśvināv iti niścitam //

Translation

Suspecting, “This is someone else (not my own),” he discharged that semen through the nostrils; from that seed, the two Aśvins were born—so it is firmly held.

Word by Word

• नासापुटाभ्याम्: through the two nostrils

• उत्सृष्टम्: discharged/let out

• परः अयम् इति: “this is another/alien”

• शङ्कया: out of suspicion

• तत्-रेतसः: from that semen/seed

• ततः: from that/thereupon

• जातौ: were born (dual)

• अश्विनौ: the two Aśvin twins (divine physicians)

• इति: thus

• निश्चितम्: ascertained/decided/traditionally established

Speaker

• Sūta (narrator) summarizing a traditional account within the Matsya Purana’s cosmogonic narration

Entities Mentioned

• Aśvinau
• retas (seed)
• nāsāpuṭa (nostrils)

Tags

• Deva-origins
• Aśvinau
• Cosmogony
• Puranic etymology
• Mythic physiology

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it preserves a cosmogonic/etiological tradition explaining the origin of the Aśvin twins from a discharged “seed,” emphasizing divine births through extraordinary means.

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

Directly it does not legislate royal or household duties; indirectly it situates later dharma-teachings within a sacred genealogy where the Aśvins (healers) symbolize protection of life and welfare—core aims of righteous kingship and household responsibility.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or temple-rule appears here; the ritual takeaway is mythic-etiological—affirming the Aśvins’ divine origin, which underlies their invocation in healing rites and auspicious ceremonies in broader Vedic-Puranic practice.