Shloka 29

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

Devanagari script

यमाहुरग्निकर्तारं सर्वप्रभवमीश्वरम् सप्तस्वरगतो यश्च नित्यं गीर्भिरुदीर्यते //

Transliteration

yamāhuragnikartāraṃ sarvaprabhavamīśvaram saptasvaragato yaśca nityaṃ gīrbhirudīryate //

Translation

They declare Yama to be the ordainer of the sacred fire, the Lord—the source from whom all arises—who abides within the seven notes and is ever invoked through hymns and words.

Word by Word

• यमम् (yamam): Yama

• आहुः (āhuḥ): they say/declare

• अग्निकर्तारम् (agni-kartāram): maker/ordainer of Agni (sacred fire)

• सर्वप्रभवम् (sarva-prabhavam): the source of all origins

• ईश्वरम् (īśvaram): the Lord, sovereign

• सप्तस्वरगतः (sapta-svara-gataḥ): present in/going through the seven musical notes

• यः (yaḥ): who

• च (ca): and

• नित्यम् (nityam): always

• गीर्भिः (gīrbhiḥ): by hymns/utterances/words

• उदीर्यते (udīryate): is proclaimed/invoked/recited.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu, within a stuti-style theological passage)

Entities Mentioned

• Yama
• Agni
• Saptasvara (seven notes)

Tags

• Dharma
• Ritual
• Stuti
• Cosmic Order
• Sacred Sound

FAQs

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

Indirectly, it frames Yama as a cosmic sovereign and universal source, implying that the same lordly principle governs both origination and the moral order that persists across cycles, including pralaya and renewal.

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

By identifying Yama with sacred fire and continual hymn-recitation, it reinforces dharmic life: maintaining agni/ritual discipline, honoring cosmic law, and upholding truth through regulated speech—core duties for householders and rulers alike.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it elevates Agni as divinely ‘ordained’ and links worship to sound (seven notes and hymns), supporting practices like fire-rites, mantra/chanting, and liturgical recitation as central to Matsya Purana-style ritual order.