Shloka 20

Matsya Purana — The Array of the Gods: Description of the Vaiṣṇava Host and the Lokapālas

Devanagari script

चतुर्षु युक्ताश्चत्वारो लोकपाला महाबलाः स्वासु दिक्षु स्वरक्षन्त तस्य देवबलस्य ते //

Transliteration

caturṣu yuktāścatvāro lokapālā mahābalāḥ svāsu dikṣu svarakṣanta tasya devabalasya te //

Translation

Stationed in the four quarters, the four mighty Lokapālas guarded their own directions, protecting that divine power.

Word by Word

• चतुर्षु (caturṣu): in the four (quarters/directions)

• युक्ताः (yuktāḥ): stationed/appointed, duly placed

• चत्वारः (catvāraḥ): the four

• लोकपालाः (lokapālāḥ): world-guardians, guardians of the quarters

• महाबलाः (mahābalāḥ): of great strength

• स्वासु (svāsu): in their own

• दिक्षु (dikṣu): directions/quarters

• स्वरक्षन्त (svarakṣanta): they protected/kept guard (over)

• तस्य (tasya): of that

• देवबलस्य (devabalasya): divine power/force of the gods

• ते (te): they (those).

Speaker

• Sūta (narrator) conveying the Purāṇic account (contextually within Matsya Purāṇa’s narration to the sages)

Entities Mentioned

• Lokapālas
• Dikpālas

Tags

• Lokapalas
• Directions
• Cosmic order
• Protection
• Devas

FAQs

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

It emphasizes cosmic order and protection: even amid vast divine forces, the quarters are safeguarded by appointed guardians, a theme often invoked in Purāṇic descriptions of maintaining order through upheavals like pralaya.

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

It models delegated guardianship: just as Lokapālas protect their assigned directions, a king should appoint capable protectors for regions and a householder should responsibly safeguard their sphere of duty (svadharma) without neglect.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Directional guardianship underlies Vāstu and ritual orientation: rites, temple layouts, and protective ceremonies often invoke the quarters and their guardians (dikpālas) to secure the space and maintain auspicious order.