Shloka 4

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

Devanagari script

तुम्बुरुर् नारदश्चैव गन्धर्वौ गायतां वरौ कृतस्थलाप्सराश्चैव या च सा पुञ्जिकस्थला //

Transliteration

tumburur nāradaścaiva gandharvau gāyatāṃ varau kṛtasthalāpsarāścaiva yā ca sā puñjikasthalā //

Translation

Tumburu and Nārada—both eminent Gandharvas among singers—together with the Apsarā Kṛtasthalā, and also she who is called Puñjikasthalā, are mentioned here.

Word by Word

• तुम्बुरुः (tumburuḥ): Tumburu (a famed Gandharva)

• नारदः (nāradaḥ): Nārada (celestial sage and divine musician)

• च एव (ca eva): and indeed/also

• गन्धर्वौ (gandharvau): the two Gandharvas

• गायताम् (gāyatām): among singers, of those who sing

• वरौ (varau): the best/excellent

• कृतस्थला (kṛtasthalā): Kṛtasthalā (name of an Apsaras)

• अप्सराः (apsarāḥ): Apsarases/celestial nymphs

• च एव (ca eva): and also

• या (yā): she who

• च (ca): and

• सा (sā): that (woman)

• पुञ्जिकस्थला (puñjikasthalā): Puñjikasthalā (name of an Apsaras)

Speaker

• Sūta (narrator) recounting the Purāṇic catalogue within the Matsya Purana’s discourse

Entities Mentioned

• Tumburu
• Narada
• Gandharvas
• Kṛtasthalā
• Puñjikasthalā
• Apsarases

Tags

• Gandharvas
• Apsarases
• Divine music
• Puranic catalogues
• Celestial beings

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya directly; it functions as a catalogue of celestial beings—Gandharvas and Apsarases—who belong to the ordered cosmic society that persists across cycles.

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

Indirectly, it highlights the Purāṇic ideal of cultured life—music, praise, and sacred recitation—often recommended for householders and supported by righteous kings through patronage of arts and ritual performance.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or temple-building rule is stated here; the ritual implication is the prominence of divine music and praise (gāna/stuti), traditionally integrated into yajña, pūjā, and festival liturgy.