Shloka 33

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

Devanagari script

स्थानाभिमानिनां ह्येतत् स्थानं मन्वन्तरेषु वै अतीतानागतानां च वर्तन्ते साम्प्रतं च ये //

Transliteration

sthānābhimānināṃ hyetat sthānaṃ manvantareṣu vai atītānāgatānāṃ ca vartante sāmprataṃ ca ye //

Translation

Indeed, this is the appointed station of the presiding powers identified with their respective offices; it operates throughout the Manvantaras—of those that have passed, those yet to come, and those that are present now.

Word by Word

• स्थानाभिमानिनाम् (sthānābhimāninām): of the presiding deities/agents who identify with a cosmic ‘post’ or station

• हि (hi): indeed

• एतत् (etat): this

• स्थानम् (sthānam): station/office/position

• मन्वन्तरेषु (manvantareṣu): in the Manvantaras (cycles ruled by Manus)

• वै (vai): certainly

• अतीतानाम् (atītānām): of those past

• अनागतानाम् (anāgatānām): of those yet to come

• च (ca): and

• वर्तन्ते (vartante): they function/continue/are in operation

• साम्प्रतम् (sāmpratam): at present/now

• च (ca): and

• ये (ye): those who/which.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu (contextual attribution within the Matsya Purana’s teaching dialogue)

Entities Mentioned

• Manvantara
• Presiding deities (Sthānābhimānins)
• Manu (implied by manvantara framework)

Tags

• Manvantara
• Cosmology
• Adhikara (cosmic offices)
• Puranic time cycles
• Dharma-order

FAQs

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

It emphasizes continuity of cosmic administration across time-cycles: even as Manvantaras pass (and dissolutions occur between them), the ‘stations’ or offices of presiding powers persist as an ordered system through past, present, and future cycles.

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

By analogy, it supports the Purāṇic ethic of role-based duty (adhikāra): just as cosmic offices function in an ordered succession, kings and householders should uphold their appointed responsibilities steadily across changing circumstances.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

While not directly about Vāstu or ritual procedure, it supplies the underlying principle used in Vāstu-śāstra and ritual systems: stable ‘stations’ (sthāna) and presiding authorities—i.e., correct placement and assigned guardianship—are essential for order and efficacy.