Shloka 160

Matsya Purana — Yadu Lineage

Devanagari script

अग्नीषोमविधिज्ञाय पशुमन्त्रौषधाय च स्वयम्भुवे ह्य् अजायैव अपूर्वप्रथमाय च प्रजानां पतये चैव तुभ्यं ब्रह्मात्मने नमः //

Transliteration

agnīṣomavidhijñāya paśumantrauṣadhāya ca svayambhuve hy ajāyaiva apūrvaprathamāya ca prajānāṃ pataye caiva tubhyaṃ brahmātmane namaḥ //

Translation

Salutations to You, the very Self of Brahmā—knower of the rites of Agni and Soma; the power behind the mantras, sacrificial beasts, and healing herbs; the Self-born, the Unborn, the Primordial and First; and the Lord of all creatures.

Word by Word

• agnīṣoma-vidhi-jñāya: to the knower of the Agni–Soma rites

• paśu: sacrificial animal/beast

• mantra: sacred formula

• auṣadha: medicinal herb

• -āya: (dative) to

• ca: and

• svayambhuve: to the Self-born

• hi: indeed

• ajāya: to the Unborn

• eva: truly/indeed

• apūrva: unprecedented/without prior

• prathamāya: to the First/primordial

• prajānām: of creatures/offspring

• pataye: to the Lord/master

• caiva: and indeed

• tubhyam: to You

• brahma-ātmane: to the one whose essence is Brahmā/the Brahman-Self

• namaḥ: salutation

Speaker

• Sūta (narratorial voice) presenting a hymn of salutation within the Matsya Purana’s discourse

Entities Mentioned

• Agni
• Soma
• Brahmā
• Svayambhū (Self-born Creator)

Tags

• Stotra
• Ritual
• Mantra
• Brahmā
• Dharma

FAQs

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

It emphasizes the Creator-principle as Svayambhū (Self-born) and Aja (Unborn), pointing to a primordial source that precedes manifested creation—an idea often invoked when describing cycles of creation and dissolution.

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

By praising the knower of Agni–Soma rites and the power behind mantras and medicinal herbs, it underlines that righteous governance and household life are supported by Vedic ritual order, correct mantra-use, and welfare practices such as healing (auṣadha).

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it highlights Agni–Soma procedure (vidhi), mantra efficacy, and the sanctity of sacrificial components; these are foundational prerequisites for consecrations and temple/altar rites that later intersect with Matsya Purana’s ritual-technical traditions.