Shloka 28

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

Devanagari script

वालखिल्या नयन्त्यस्तं परिवार्योदयाद्रविम् एतेषामेव देवानां यथावीर्यं यथातपः //

Transliteration

vālakhilyā nayantyastaṃ parivāryodayādravim eteṣāmeva devānāṃ yathāvīryaṃ yathātapaḥ //

Translation

The Vālakhilyas, surrounding the Sun from his rising onward, lead him to his setting. Thus, among these divine beings, each performs according to his own power and ascetic heat (tapas).

Word by Word

• vālakhilyāḥ: the Vālakhilya sages (a class of tiny ascetics attendant on the Sun)

• nayanti: lead, conduct

• astam: to setting, to sunset

• parivārya: having surrounded, encircling

• udayāt: from sunrise

• ravim: the Sun (Ravi)

• eteṣām: of these

• eva: indeed/only

• devānām: of the gods/divine beings

• yathā-vīryam: according to (their) strength/capacity

• yathā-tapaḥ: according to (their) tapas/ascetic potency

Speaker

• Sūta (Purāṇic narrator) describing the solar retinue in the Matsya Purana’s cosmological discourse

Entities Mentioned

• Vālakhilyas
• Ravi (Surya)

Tags

• Surya
• Cosmology
• Tapas
• Devas
• Solar retinue

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; it emphasizes cosmic order—how the Sun’s daily movement is upheld by divine/ascetic beings acting through tapas.

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

By analogy, it teaches svadharma: just as celestial beings perform according to their capacity and discipline, a king or householder should uphold order through steady duty, proportionate effort, and self-restraint.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu rule is stated explicitly, but the verse supports solar-oriented ritual logic (udaya/asta): many rites, temple schedules, and auspicious timings are anchored to sunrise and sunset in Purāṇic practice.