Shloka 51

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

Devanagari script

देवेष्वाह देवदेवो लोकनाथस्य धूर्गतान् अहं सारथिरित्युक्त्वा जग्राहाश्वांस्ततो ऽग्रजः //

Transliteration

deveṣvāha devadevo lokanāthasya dhūrgatān ahaṃ sārathirityuktvā jagrāhāśvāṃstato 'grajaḥ //

Translation

Then, in the assembly of the gods, the God of gods addressed those who had come under the Lord of the worlds’ protection: “I shall be the charioteer.” Saying so, the elder brother thereupon took hold of the horses.

Word by Word

देवेषुamong the gods/in the assembly of the gods

आहsaid/spoke

देवदेवःthe God of gods

लोकनाथस्यof the Lord of the worlds

धूर्गतान्those who have taken refuge/come under the protection (lit. gone to shelter)

अहम्I

सारथिःcharioteer

इतिthus

उक्त्वाhaving said

जग्राहseized/took hold of

अश्वान्the horses

ततःthen/thereupon

अग्रजःthe elder (brother)/the senior one

Speaker

Sūta (narrator) describing events (third-person narration within the Matsya Purāṇa frame)

Entities Mentioned

DevadevaLokanāthaDevasAgraja (elder brother figure)

FAQs

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

This verse does not directly discuss pralaya; it highlights divine protection and readiness for action—an episode-style motif often used in Purāṇas to frame crises and their resolution.

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

By portraying a revered figure taking the humble role of a charioteer, the verse underscores seva (service), leadership through responsibility, and protecting those who seek refuge—key ideals echoed in rājadharma and gṛhastha ethics.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No explicit Vāstu or ritual procedure is stated; the verse is primarily narrative, using the chariot-and-horses imagery as a symbol of mobilizing dharma and protection.