Shloka 52

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

Devanagari script

ततो देवैः सगन्धर्वैः सिंहनादो महान्कृतः प्रतोदहस्तं सम्प्रेक्ष्य ब्रह्माणं सूततां गतम् //

Transliteration

tato devaiḥ sagandharvaiḥ siṃhanādo mahānkṛtaḥ pratodahastaṃ samprekṣya brahmāṇaṃ sūtatāṃ gatam //

Translation

Then the gods, together with the Gandharvas, raised a mighty lion-roar of acclaim, on seeing Brahmā with a goad (pratoda) in his hand, having assumed the office of sūta, the charioteer.

Word by Word

• tataḥ: then

• devaiḥ: by the gods

• sa-gandharvaiḥ: together with the Gandharvas

• siṃha-nādaḥ: lion-roar, triumphant shout

• mahān: great, mighty

• kṛtaḥ: was made/raised

• pratoda-hastam: with a goad (whip) in hand

• samprekṣya: having seen, beholding

• brahmāṇam: Brahmā

• sūtatām: the state/role of a sūta (charioteer, driver, herald)

• gatam: having gone to/assumed

Speaker

• Narrator (Purāṇic narrative voice; Sūta-style description of events)

Entities Mentioned

• Brahmā
• Devas
• Gandharvas
• Sūta

Tags

• Purana narration
• Devas
• Gandharvas
• Brahmā
• Roles & duties

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe pralaya directly; it highlights divine approval and orderly role-assumption—Brahmā taking a functional office—reflecting cosmic governance rather than dissolution.

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

It underscores dharma through role-appropriate action: even Brahmā adopts a service-function (sūta/charioteer) when the situation demands, implying that status is secondary to duty and proper conduct.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No explicit Vāstu or temple-ritual rule appears here; the key takeaway is ceremonial acclamation (siṃhanāda) and auspicious witnessing, which often frames major rites and transitions in Purāṇic narration.