Shloka 13

Matsya Purana — Yayati’s Fall from Heaven and the Greatness of the Righteous

Devanagari script

प्रभुरग्निः प्रतपने भूमिरावपने प्रभुः प्रभुः सूर्यः प्रकाशाच्च सतां चाभ्यागतः प्रभुः //

Transliteration

prabhuragniḥ pratapane bhūmirāvapane prabhuḥ prabhuḥ sūryaḥ prakāśācca satāṃ cābhyāgataḥ prabhuḥ //

Translation

The Lord is Agni in the very act of burning; the Lord is the Earth in the act of sowing. The Lord is the Sun in illumination, and the Lord is also the honored guest welcomed by the virtuous.

Word by Word

• prabhuḥ: the Lord, the Supreme

• agniḥ: fire (Agni)

• pratapane: in heating/burning, in the act of blazing

• bhūmiḥ: the earth, ground

• āvapane: in sowing/planting (casting seed), in cultivation

• sūryaḥ: the sun (Surya)

• prakāśāt: from/through light, by illumination

• ca: and

• satām: of the good, of the virtuous

• ca: and

• abhyāgataḥ: one who has come, a guest/visitor

• prabhuḥ: the Lord (present as that principle)

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) speaking to Vaivasvata Manu (contextual attribution for this adhyaya’s doctrinal instruction)

Entities Mentioned

• Agni
• Bhumi
• Surya
• Prabhu (Supreme Lord)

Tags

• Divinity-in-nature
• Dharma
• Atithi
• Cosmic functions
• Puranic theology

FAQs

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

Rather than narrating Pralaya directly, the verse teaches a Puranic theology of immanence: the Supreme operates through elemental powers (fire, sun, earth), implying that cosmic processes—including creation and dissolution—are functions of the one Lord.

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

It supports dharma by linking divinity with daily life: cultivation (sowing) and the householder’s duty of honoring the arriving guest (abhyāgata) are presented as encounters with the Lord—encouraging hospitality, generosity, and righteous livelihood.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu rule is stated; ritual significance is implicit: Agni (fire) and Sūrya (light) are core to rites, and the verse frames them as manifestations of the Lord—supporting reverence for fire rituals and auspicious, dharma-aligned domestic practice.