Shloka 16

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

Devanagari script

चारो वातश्च द्वावेतौ यातुधानावुभौ स्मृतौ वसन्त्येते च वै सूर्ये मासयोश्च त्विषोर्जयोः //

Transliteration

cāro vātaśca dvāvetau yātudhānāvubhau smṛtau vasantyete ca vai sūrye māsayośca tviṣorjayoḥ //

Translation

Cāra and Vāta—these two are remembered as a pair of Yātudhānas. They are said to abide in the Sun, presiding over the two months and over the victory of brilliance (radiance).

Word by Word

• चारः (cāraḥ): Cāra (a named being)

• वातः (vātaḥ): Vāta (a named being, ‘wind’)

• च (ca): and

• द्वौ (dvau): two

• एतौ (etau): these

• यातुधानौ (yātudhānau): Yātudhānas (a class of fierce/demonic beings)

• उभौ (ubhau): both

• स्मृतौ (smṛtau): are remembered/are recorded

• वसन्ति (vasanti): dwell/abide

• एते (ete): these

• च वै (ca vai): indeed/also

• सूर्ये (sūrye): in the Sun

• मासयोः (māsayoḥ): of the (two) months/within the months

• च (ca): and

• त्विषोः (tviṣoḥ): of radiance/splendour

• जयोः (jayoḥ): of victory/triumph.

Speaker

• Sūta (narrating Purāṇic cosmological details, in the broader dialogue frame of Matsya Purāṇa)

Entities Mentioned

• Surya
• Cāra
• Vāta
• Yātudhāna

Tags

• Surya
• Cosmology
• Solar attendants
• Months
• Purāṇic taxonomy

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; it classifies beings who ‘abide in the Sun,’ reflecting the Purāṇic idea that cosmic order is maintained through designated solar attendants across the cycle of months and radiance.

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

Indirectly, it supports the Purāṇic worldview behind calendrical and solar observances: kings and householders time rites, donations, and vows by months and solar power, acknowledging the Sun as the regulator of worldly vitality and success.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it aligns with Sūrya-upāsanā and month-based vrata/saṃskāra timing; while not a Vāstu rule, it underpins temple/ritual calendars where solar months and the Sun’s ‘radiance’ govern auspicious scheduling.