Shloka 14

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

Devanagari script

चित्रसेनश्च गन्धर्वस् तथा वा सुरुचिश्च यः विश्वाची च घृताची च उभे ते पुण्यलक्षणे //

Transliteration

citrasenaśca gandharvas tathā vā suruciśca yaḥ viśvācī ca ghṛtācī ca ubhe te puṇyalakṣaṇe //

Translation

Citrāsena the Gandharva, and likewise Suruci; and the Apsarases Viśvācī and Ghṛtācī—both are described as bearing auspicious characteristics.

Word by Word

• चित्रसेनः (citrasenaḥ): Citrāsena (a named Gandharva)

• च (ca): and

• गन्धर्वः (gandharvaḥ): Gandharva (celestial musician)

• तथा (tathā): likewise

• वा (vā): also/indeed

• सुरुचिः (suruciḥ): Suruci (a named celestial being)

• च (ca): and

• यः (yaḥ): who

• विश्वाची (viśvācī): Viśvācī (a named Apsaras)

• च (ca): and

• घृताची (ghṛtācī): Ghṛtācī (a named Apsaras)

• च (ca): and

• उभे (ubhe): both (feminine dual)

• ते (te): they/those

• पुण्यलक्षणे (puṇya-lakṣaṇe): of auspicious marks/auspiciously characterized

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu, describing auspicious/iconographic classifications)

Entities Mentioned

• Citrāsena
• Gandharvas
• Suruci
• Viśvācī
• Ghṛtācī
• Apsarases

Tags

• Iconography
• Pratima Lakshana
• Auspicious Signs
• Deva-Attendants
• Puranic Cosmology

FAQs

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

This verse does not address Pralaya directly; it catalogues auspicious celestial figures (Gandharvas/Apsarases) as part of an iconographic or auspicious-sign framework.

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

Indirectly, it supports dharmic practice by identifying auspicious beings and signs—useful for kings/householders when sponsoring rites, festivals, and temple endowments where correct auspicious classifications are valued.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The verse functions as a naming-and-auspiciousness reference: such lists guide ritual/temple contexts (pratiṣṭhā, decoration, narrative panels) by marking which attendant figures are considered auspicious (puṇya-lakṣaṇa).