Shloka 17

Matsya Purana — Yayāti–Aṣṭaka Dialogue: Seniority

Devanagari script

देवस्य देवस्य निवेशने च विजित्य लोकान्न्यवसं यथेष्टम् सम्पूज्यमानस्त्रिदशैः समस्तैस् तुल्यप्रभावद्युतिरीश्वराणाम् //

Transliteration

devasya devasya niveśane ca vijitya lokānnyavasaṃ yatheṣṭam sampūjyamānastridaśaiḥ samastais tulyaprabhāvadyutirīśvarāṇām //

Translation

Having conquered the worlds, you dwelt at will even in the abode of the God of gods; and, being duly worshipped by all the Thirty-three gods, you shone with a majesty and radiance equal to that of the sovereign divinities.

Word by Word

• devasya devasya: of the God of gods (supreme deity)

• niveśane: in the dwelling/abode

• ca: and

• vijitya: having conquered

• lokān: the worlds/realms

• nyavasaṃ (nyavasam): I/you dwelt, took up residence

• yatheṣṭam: as desired, at will

• sampūjyamānaḥ: being fully worshipped/honoured

• tridaśaiḥ: by the Thirty-three gods (the Devas)

• samastaiḥ: by all, collectively

• tulya: equal

• prabhāva: power, majesty, eminence

• dyutiḥ: radiance, splendour

• īśvarāṇām: of the lords/ruling divinities.

Speaker

• Sūta (narrator) describing a glorified figure within the Matsya Purana’s divine-royal narrative frame (likely recounted to Manu in the broader dialogue tradition).

Entities Mentioned

• Devas (Tridaśa)
• Īśvaras (sovereign divinities)
• Devasya Deva (God of gods)

Tags

• Deva-loka
• Divine sovereignty
• Puranic praise
• Cosmic conquest
• Glorification

FAQs

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

This verse is not describing Pralaya directly; it highlights post-conquest dominion and divine honour in celestial realms, emphasizing cosmic hierarchy and sovereignty rather than dissolution.

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

Indirectly, it models the ideal of legitimate authority: conquest (or mastery) followed by rightful residence and public honour—suggesting that power should culminate in recognized order and reverence, a theme echoed in Puranic kingship ethics.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, the key idea is “sampūjyamānaḥ” (being duly worshipped): it implies formal divine honours and worship protocols in a deity’s abode, aligning with Matsya Purana’s broader concern for correct worship and sanctified spaces (a foundation for later Vastu/temple procedure discussions).