Shloka 1
Matsya Purana — The Array of the Gods: Description of the Vaiṣṇava Host and the Lokapālas
*मत्स्य उवाच श्रुतस्ते दैत्यसैन्यस्य विस्तारो रविनन्दन सुराणामपि सैन्यस्य विस्तारं वैष्णवं शृणु //
*matsya uvāca śrutaste daityasainyasya vistāro ravinandana surāṇāmapi sainyasya vistāraṃ vaiṣṇavaṃ śṛṇu //
Matsya said: “O son of Ravi (the Sun), you have heard in detail the full array of the Daityas’ army; now listen to the detailed account of the gods’ army—the Vaiṣṇava host.”
FAQs
This verse does not describe Pralaya directly; it functions as a narrative transition, shifting from the demonic forces to the divine (Vaiṣṇava) forces, emphasizing cosmic order upheld by Viṣṇu-aligned powers.
By addressing Manu (the archetypal lawgiver-king) and contrasting Daitya and Sura forces, the verse frames governance as discernment between adharmic and dharmic alignments—an implied counsel that rulers should support “Vaiṣṇava” (order-protecting) principles.
No Vāstu or ritual procedure is stated in this verse; its significance is classificatory and theological—introducing the “Vaiṣṇava” designation, which elsewhere underpins sectarian framing for ritual allegiance and iconographic identity.