Shloka 7

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

Devanagari script

यमारूढः स भगवान् पर्येति सकलं जगत् हविर्धानेषु गायन्ति विप्रा मखमुखे स्थिताः //

Transliteration

yamārūḍhaḥ sa bhagavān paryeti sakalaṃ jagat havirdhāneṣu gāyanti viprā makhamukhe sthitāḥ //

Translation

Mounted upon Yama, that Blessed Lord moves throughout the entire world. And the Brahmin priests—stationed at the very ‘mouth’ of the sacrifice—chant hymns at the places where the offerings are set down.

Word by Word

• yama-ārūḍhaḥ: mounted upon Yama / having Yama as his vehicle

• saḥ: he

• bhagavān: the revered lord, the divine one

• paryeti: goes about, traverses

• sakalam: entire

• jagat: world, universe

• havirdhāneṣu: in/at the havirdhāna places (stations/receptacles where oblations are placed)

• gāyanti: sing, chant (Vedic recitation)

• viprāḥ: Brahmins, priests

• makha-mukhe: at the mouth/front of the sacrifice (the principal sacrificial station)

• sthitāḥ: standing, stationed

Speaker

• Sūta (Purāṇic narrator) describing ritual-cosmic order (likely within a discourse on Yama/ritual observance)

Entities Mentioned

• Yama
• Bhagavān
• Viprāḥ (Brahmin priests)
• Makha (sacrifice)
• Havis (oblations)

Tags

• Yama
• Vedic ritual
• Homa
• Śrāddha context
• Priestly chant

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; it highlights cosmic-moral order—divine governance moving through the world—and its linkage to properly performed sacrifice and priestly recitation.

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

It implies that worldly order is upheld through dharmic rites: householders (and kings as patrons) should support yajña and qualified priests, ensuring offerings and correct chanting are maintained.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it mentions specific yajña topography—makhamukha (the principal sacrificial ‘front/mouth’) and havirdhāna (stations/receptacles for oblations)—emphasizing correct placement of offerings and Vedic chant at designated points.