Shloka 16

Matsya Purana — The Gods Seek Śiva’s Refuge: The Cosmic Chariot Prepared for the Burning of T...

Devanagari script

दिग्वाससा तथोक्तास्ते सपितामहकाः सुराः तथेत्युक्त्वा महादेवं चक्रुस्ते रथमुत्तमम् //

Transliteration

digvāsasā tathoktāste sapitāmahakāḥ surāḥ tathetyuktvā mahādevaṃ cakruste rathamuttamam //

Translation

Thus instructed by Digvāsas, Lord of the quarters, those gods—together with Pitāmaha (Brahmā)—assented, saying “So be it,” and then fashioned for Mahādeva an excellent chariot.

Word by Word

• दिग्वाससा (digvāsasā): by Digvāsas, the Lord associated with the directions/quarters

• तथा-उक्ताः (tathā-uktāḥ): thus spoken to, thus instructed

• ते (te): they

• स-पितामहकाः (sa-pitāmahakāḥ): together with the Pitāmaha (Brahmā)

• सुराः (surāḥ): the gods

• तथा इति उक्त्वा (tathā iti uktvā): having said “thus/so be it”

• महादेवं (mahādevaṃ): Mahādeva (Śiva)

• चक्रुः (cakruḥ): they made, fashioned

• ते (te): they

• रथम् (ratham): a chariot

• उत्तमम् (uttamam): excellent, supreme.

Speaker

• Sūta (narrator) reporting the divine action within the Matsya Purāṇa’s iconography/ritual-technical narrative

Entities Mentioned

• Digvāsas
• Pitāmaha (Brahmā)
• Suras (Devas)
• Mahādeva (Śiva)
• Ratha (chariot)

Tags

• Vastuvidya
• Iconography
• Ritual procedure
• Divine vehicles
• Temple arts

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it highlights divine cooperation and ritual-technical creation—specifically the making of an “excellent chariot” for Mahādeva.

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

By showing the Devas promptly affirming instructions (“so be it”) and executing a sacred task, the verse models dharmic conduct: obedience to rightful guidance, coordinated service, and completing religious works with excellence—virtues expected of kings and householders in public and ritual duties.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The key ritual/arts point is the sanctioned construction of a divine vehicle (ratha) for a deity; in Vāstu/śilpa contexts, such making implies prescribed standards of excellence (uttama) and proper authorization before crafting sacred objects.