Shloka 53

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

Devanagari script

भगवानपि विश्वेशो रथस्थे वै पितामहे सदृशः सूत इत्युक्त्वा चारुरोह रथं हरः //

Transliteration

bhagavānapi viśveśo rathasthe vai pitāmahe sadṛśaḥ sūta ityuktvā cāruroha rathaṃ haraḥ //

Translation

Then the Blessed Lord, the Lord of the universe (Śiva), seeing Pitāmaha (Brahmā) seated upon the chariot, said, “Be the sūta, like Pitāmaha,” and Hari (Viṣṇu) gracefully mounted the chariot.

Word by Word

• bhagavān: the Blessed Lord

• api: also/indeed

• viśveśaḥ: Lord of the universe

• ratha-sthe: seated/standing on the chariot

• vai: indeed

• pitāmahe: Pitāmaha (Brahmā, the grandsire)

• sadṛśaḥ: similar/like

• sūta: charioteer

• iti: thus

• uktvā: having said

• cāru: gracefully/beautifully

• āruroha: mounted/ascended

• ratham: the chariot

• haraḥ: Hara (Śiva) / (contextually) Hari (Viṣṇu) as the one who mounted—see note below

Speaker

• Primary narrator (Purāṇic narration; likely Sūta/reciter voice) describing the action

Entities Mentioned

• Viśveśa (Śiva)
• Pitāmaha (Brahmā)
• Sūta (charioteer)
• Hara (Śiva)
• Hari (Viṣṇu)
• Ratha (chariot)

Tags

• Shaiva narrative
• Divine chariot
• Deva iconography
• Purāṇic episode
• Triad (Brahmā-Śiva-Viṣṇu)

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe pralaya directly; it highlights divine hierarchy and cooperation—Brahmā (creation principle) is present on the chariot while Śiva (cosmic lordship) orchestrates the action, a symbolic complementarity often used in Purāṇic cosmology.

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

Indirectly, it models proper delegation and role-assignment: even among exalted beings, duties (like charioteer/service roles) are defined by fitness and context, echoing the Purāṇic ethic that social order (dharma) depends on appropriate responsibilities.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No explicit Vāstu or ritual procedure is stated, but the imagery of deities with a chariot and defined positions can inform iconographic sequencing in temple narrative panels (ratha-procession motifs) used in Purāṇic-inspired temple art.