Shloka 21

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

Devanagari script

ततस्तु शिशिरे चापि मासयोर्निवसन्ति ते त्वष्टा विष्णुर्जमदग्निर् विश्वामित्रस्तथैव च //

Transliteration

tatastu śiśire cāpi māsayornivasanti te tvaṣṭā viṣṇurjamadagnir viśvāmitrastathaiva ca //

Translation

Then, in the two months of the cold season (Śiśira) they dwell—namely Tvaṣṭṛ, Viṣṇu, Jamadagni, and likewise Viśvāmitra.

Word by Word

• tataḥ: then/thereafter

• tu: indeed

• śiśire: in Śiśira (the cold season)

• ca api: also

• māsayoḥ: in (the) two months

• nivasanti: they reside/preside

• te: they

• tvaṣṭā: Tvaṣṭṛ (divine artisan/deity)

• viṣṇuḥ: Viṣṇu

• jamadagniḥ: Jamadagni (ṛṣi)

• viśvāmitraḥ: Viśvāmitra (ṛṣi)

• tathā eva ca: and likewise/and also

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Tvaṣṭṛ
• Viṣṇu
• Jamadagni
• Viśvāmitra
• Śiśira (season)

Tags

• Calendar
• Ritual timing
• Seasonal deities
• Manvantara framework
• Puranic cosmology

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; it supports the Matsya Purana’s cosmological order by assigning specific deities and ṛṣis to seasonal months, implying a regulated cosmic rhythm rather than dissolution.

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

By identifying who presides over particular months of Śiśira, it implicitly guides proper seasonal observances—useful for householders planning vratas/rites and for kings organizing public rituals in harmony with sacred calendrical authority.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The verse is primarily calendrical, but it is ritually significant as a timing key: rites, offerings, and seasonal disciplines performed in Śiśira are traditionally aligned with the presiding powers named here rather than with Vastu or temple-measurement rules.