Shloka 1

Matsya Purana — The Attendant Hosts of the Sun and Moon: Monthly Gaṇas

Devanagari script

*सूत उवाच स रथो ऽधिष्ठितो देवैर् मासि मासि यथाक्रमम् ततो वहत्यथादित्यं बहुभिर् ऋषिभिः सह //

Transliteration

*sūta uvāca sa ratho 'dhiṣṭhito devair māsi māsi yathākramam tato vahatyathādityaṃ bahubhir ṛṣibhiḥ saha //

Translation

Sūta said: That chariot is presided over by the gods, month after month, in due order; thereafter it bears along Āditya (the Sun), accompanied by many Ṛṣis.

Word by Word

• sūtaḥ: Sūta (the narrator)

• uvāca: said

• saḥ: that

• rathaḥ: chariot

• adhiṣṭhitaḥ: presided over/occupied/regulated

• devaiḥ: by the gods

• māsi māsi: in each month, month by month

• yathā-kramam: according to the proper sequence

• tataḥ: then/thereafter

• vahati: carries/bears along

• atha: and then/indeed

• ādityam: Āditya, the Sun

• bahubhiḥ: by many/with many

• ṛṣibhiḥ: sages

• saha: together with.

Speaker

• Suta

Entities Mentioned

• Suta
• Devas
• Aditya (Surya)
• Rishis

Tags

• Surya
• Cosmology
• Sacred Time
• Monthly Cycle
• Puranic Astronomy

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; it emphasizes the regulated cosmic order of time—month-by-month governance of the Sun’s course by Devas and Ṛṣis—implying stability and maintenance (sthiti) rather than dissolution.

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

By framing time as divinely ordered, it supports dharmic living tied to the calendar—kings and householders should align rites, donations, vows, and governance with the proper monthly/seasonal sequence maintained by sacred authority.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

While not giving Vāstu rules, it underpins ritual timing: Surya-related worship, monthly observances, and temple calendrics depend on the Sun’s ordered course—useful for planning festival cycles and consecration schedules in Puranic practice.