Shloka 27

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

Devanagari script

जगतः प्रथमं भागं सौम्यं सत्यमयं रथम् ददृशुर्दानवाः सोमं हिमप्रहरणं स्थितम् //

Transliteration

jagataḥ prathamaṃ bhāgaṃ saumyaṃ satyamayaṃ ratham dadṛśurdānavāḥ somaṃ himapraharaṇaṃ sthitam //

Translation

The Dānavas beheld Soma—standing firm, his weapon being frost—upon a gentle chariot made of truth, occupying the foremost portion of the world.

Word by Word

• जगतः (jagataḥ): of the world/universe

• प्रथमम् (prathamam): first, foremost

• भागम् (bhāgam): portion, region, share

• सौम्यम् (saumyam): gentle, lunar, soothing

• सत्यमयम् (satyamayam): made of truth, truth-constituted

• रथम् (ratham): chariot

• ददृशुः (dadṛśuḥ): they saw, beheld

• दानवाः (dānavāḥ): Danavas (a class of Asuras)

• सोमम् (somam): Soma (Moon-deity / lunar principle)

• हिमप्रहरणम् (himapraharaṇam): having frost/snow as a striking weapon, frost-weaponed

• स्थितम् (sthitam): standing, stationed, abiding.

Speaker

• Suta (Pauranic narrator) describing a cosmological/celestial vision (likely within the Matsya Purana’s dialogue framework to Manu).

Entities Mentioned

• Soma
• Danavas

Tags

• Cosmology
• Soma
• Celestial chariot
• Danavas
• Puranic astronomy

FAQs

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

Indirectly, it reflects cosmic order rather than Pralaya: Soma is portrayed as a stabilizing, truth-constituted lunar principle occupying a foremost cosmic region, suggesting regulated celestial governance rather than dissolution.

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

By presenting Soma as “satyamaya” (truth-formed) and “saumya” (gentle), the verse implicitly elevates truthfulness, steadiness, and cooling restraint—virtues central to royal justice (rājadharma) and household discipline (gṛhastha-dharma).

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu rule is stated, but the imagery of a “truth-constituted chariot” and Soma’s cooling power aligns with ritual symbolism where lunar qualities (saumya) are invoked for peace rites (śānti) and cooling/appeasing offerings.