Shloka 30

Matsya Purana — Tārakāsura’s Austerity and Boon; Mobilization for War; Bṛhaspati’s Fourfold P...

Devanagari script

चन्द्रार्कौ दीपमार्गेषु व्यजनेषु च मारुतः कृतान्तो ऽग्रेसरस्तस्य बभूवुर्मुनिसत्तमाः //

Transliteration

candrārkau dīpamārgeṣu vyajaneṣu ca mārutaḥ kṛtānto 'gresarastasya babhūvurmunisattamāḥ //

Translation

The Moon and the Sun became the lights that showed his way; the Wind served as his fan-bearer; and Death (Kṛtānta) went before him as his herald—so it was, O best of sages.

Word by Word

• candrārkau: the Moon and the Sun

• dīpa-mārgeṣu: as lamps and along the paths (as guides on the way)

• vyajaneṣu: in the role of fans/fan-service

• ca: and

• mārutaḥ: the Wind (Vāyu)

• kṛtāntaḥ: Kṛtānta, Death/Yama

• agresaraḥ: the one who goes in front, a forerunner/herald

• tasya: of him/for him

• babhūvuḥ: became/were

• muni-sattamāḥ: O best of sages (vocative).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) addressing Vaivasvata Manu (narration framed with a vocative to the sages/Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Chandra (Moon)
• Surya (Sun)
• Maruta/Vayu (Wind)
• Kritanta (Death/Yama)

Tags

• Pralaya
• Divine retinue
• Cosmic symbolism
• Puranic narrative
• Matsya–Manu

FAQs

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

It depicts a cosmic, mythic procession where natural and metaphysical forces (Sun, Moon, Wind, Death) function as attendants, implying that even during pralaya-related events the universe remains ordered under divine command.

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

By portraying an ideal of ordered service—guidance (lights), disciplined comfort (fan), and the reminder of mortality (Kṛtānta)—it reinforces the Purāṇic ethic that rulers and householders should act with awareness of impermanence and maintain dharma-driven order.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The imagery of “lamps on the path” (dīpa-mārga) aligns with ritual practice of lighting processional routes and sanctified pathways, a motif often echoed in temple and festival procedure described across Purāṇic and Vastu-oriented traditions.