Shloka 8

Matsya Purana — The Advent of Narasiṃha and Hiraṇyakaśipu’s Weapon-Assault

Devanagari script

मरुतो देवगन्धर्वा ऋषयश्च तपोधनाः नागा यक्षाः पिशाचाश्च राक्षसा भीमविक्रमाः //

Transliteration

maruto devagandharvā ṛṣayaśca tapodhanāḥ nāgā yakṣāḥ piśācāśca rākṣasā bhīmavikramāḥ //

Translation

The Maruts, the divine Gandharvas, and the sages rich in ascetic power; the Nāgas, Yakṣas, Piśācas, and the Rākṣasas of dreadful might—(all are spoken of here).

Word by Word

• मरुतः (marutaḥ): the Maruts (storm-gods)

• देवगन्धर्वाः (deva-gandharvāḥ): celestial/divine Gandharvas

• ऋषयः (ṛṣayaḥ): seers, sages

• च (ca): and

• तपोधनाः (tapodhanāḥ): those whose wealth is austerity, ascetically powerful

• नागाः (nāgāḥ): Nāgas/serpent-beings

• यक्षाः (yakṣāḥ): Yakṣas (nature-spirits/guardians of treasures)

• पिशाचाः (piśācāḥ): Piśācas (ghoulish spirits)

• च (ca): and

• राक्षसाः (rākṣasāḥ): Rākṣasas (demonic beings)

• भीमविक्रमाः (bhīmavikramāḥ): of terrifying prowess/valour

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu, within a descriptive enumeration)

Entities Mentioned

• Maruts
• Deva-Gandharvas
• Rishis
• Nagas
• Yakshas
• Pishachas
• Rakshasas

Tags

• Cosmology
• Divine Beings
• Puranic Taxonomy
• Mythic Ecology
• Matsya Purana

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; it catalogs classes of beings in the cosmic order, implying a structured universe populated by gods, sages, and non-human races that persist across cycles.

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

By naming multiple visible and invisible communities (gods, sages, spirits), it supports the Purāṇic ethic that a king/householder should uphold dharma through ritual propriety, protection, and respectful conduct toward all orders of beings.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No explicit Vāstu rule appears, but such enumerations commonly function as ritual-context reminders: offerings and protective rites are performed with awareness of different beings (e.g., Yakṣas, Nāgas, Piśācas) associated with directions, sites, and precincts.