Shloka 7

Matsya Purana — The Aśūnyaśayana Vrata

Devanagari script

अग्नयो मा प्रणश्यन्तु देवताः पुरुषोत्तम पितरो मा प्रणश्यन्तु मास्तु दाम्पत्यभेदनम् //

Transliteration

agnayo mā praṇaśyantu devatāḥ puruṣottama pitaro mā praṇaśyantu māstu dāmpatyabhedanam //

Translation

O Puruṣottama, may my sacred fires not perish; may the deities not forsake me; may my ancestors (pitṛs) not be lost to me—and may there never be a rupture in my marital union.

Word by Word

• अग्नयः: sacred fires

• मा: not / may not

• प्रणश्यन्तु: perish, be destroyed

• देवताः: the gods, deities

• पुरुषोत्तम: O Supreme Person (Vishnu)

• पितरः: ancestors, Pitṛs

• मास्तु: let there not be

• दाम्पत्य-भेदनम्: breaking/rupture of marriage, separation of spouses

Speaker

• Vaivasvata Manu (as the supplicant addressing Lord Vishnu as Puruṣottama)

Entities Mentioned

• Puruṣottama (Vishnu)
• Agni (sacred household fires)
• Devatāḥ (Deities)
• Pitṛs (Ancestors)

Tags

• Grihastha Dharma
• Agnihotra
• Pitru-karya
• Household Stability
• Protective Prayer

FAQs

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

It does not describe cosmic pralaya directly; instead, it focuses on preserving the microcosmic order of dharma—sacred fires, divine support, and ancestral continuity—which are treated as foundations that must not “perish” in a householder’s life.

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

It reflects core gṛhastha duties: maintaining the sacred fires (agni), honoring devas through worship, and sustaining pitṛ obligations through śrāddha/tarpaṇa—along with safeguarding marital harmony, which supports social and ritual continuity.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it emphasizes the uninterrupted maintenance of household sacred fires (Agnihotra/aupasana) and the linked obligations to devas and pitṛs; architecturally it implies (indirectly) the need for a stable domestic sacred space where fires and rites can be properly maintained.