Shloka 2

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

Devanagari script

गन्धर्वैरप्सरोभिश्च सर्पग्रामणिराक्षसैः एते वसन्ति वै सूर्ये मासौ द्वौ द्वौ क्रमेण च //

Transliteration

gandharvairapsarobhiśca sarpagrāmaṇirākṣasaiḥ ete vasanti vai sūrye māsau dvau dvau krameṇa ca //

Translation

Gandharvas, Apsarases, the leaders of the Nāga-tribes, and Rākṣasas—these dwell with the Sun, each group in due order for two months at a time.

Word by Word

• गन्धर्वैः: by/with Gandharvas

• अप्सरोभिः: by/with Apsarases

• च: and

• सर्प-ग्रामणि-राक्षसैः: with the Nāga (serpent) chiefs and Rākṣasas

• एते: these (groups)

• वसन्ति: dwell/abide

• वै: indeed

• सूर्ये: in/with the Sun (Sūrya)

• मासौ: for (the span of) months

• द्वौ द्वौ: two and two (two at a time)

• क्रमेण: in sequence/in order

• च: and.

Speaker

• Sūta (traditional Purāṇic narrator) describing cosmological order (likely within a Matsya–Manu instructional frame)

Entities Mentioned

• Sūrya
• Gandharvas
• Apsarases
• Nāgas (Sarpa)
• Rākṣasas

Tags

• Cosmology
• Surya
• Deva-retinue
• Calendar
• Purana

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; it presents an ordered cosmological administration of Sūrya’s course, implying a stable rhythm in time (months) maintained by designated classes of beings.

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

By emphasizing krama (order/sequence) and time-division (two-month periods), it supports the Purāṇic ideal that household and royal duties—festivals, vows, taxes, and governance—should follow a regulated calendar aligned with cosmic order.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it underlines time-based observance: solar-linked rites, monthly vratas, and Saura (Sūrya) worship should be scheduled according to the months; it is not a direct Vāstu rule but supports calendrical timing for consecrations and ceremonies.