Matsya Purana — Brahmā’s Four Faces, Shloka 21

Devanagari script

मन एकादशं तेषां कर्मबुद्धिगुणान्वितम् इन्द्रियावयवाः सूक्ष्मास् तस्य मूर्तिं मनीषिणः //

Transliteration

mana ekādaśaṃ teṣāṃ karmabuddhiguṇānvitam indriyāvayavāḥ sūkṣmās tasya mūrtiṃ manīṣiṇaḥ //

Translation

Unter ihnen ist der Geist (manas) das elfte, ausgestattet mit Wirken, Erkenntnis (buddhi) und den Guṇas. Die feinen Sinnesvermögen und ihre Teile sind, so sagen die Weisen, die eigentliche „Gestalt“ (mūrti) jenes feinstofflichen Wesens.

Word by Word

• manas: mind

• ekādaśam: the eleventh

• teṣām: of them/among them

• karma: activity/action (operative function)

• buddhi: intellect/discriminative intelligence

• guṇa-anvitam: endowed with the guṇas (sattva, rajas, tamas)

• indriya: sense faculty/power

• avayavāḥ: parts/constituent elements

• sūkṣmāḥ: subtle (non-gross)

• tasya: of that/of him (the subtle being/body under discussion)

• mūrtim: form/embodiment

• manīṣiṇaḥ: sages/wise seers

• (iti): thus.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Manas
• Buddhi
• Guṇas
• Indriyas

Tags

• Creation
• Sāṃkhya-like Tattva
• Subtle Body
• Indriyas
• Guṇas

FAQs

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

It outlines the subtle constitution that persists beyond gross forms: mind (as the eleventh) together with subtle sense-faculties and guṇas constitutes the ‘form’ of the subtle being, implying what remains operative when gross elements withdraw in pralaya.

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

By identifying mind, intellect, and guṇas as the drivers of action, it grounds ethics in self-governance: a king or householder must discipline manas and buddhi so that rajas/tamas do not dominate conduct and decision-making.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or temple rule is stated; the ritual takeaway is internal—successful worship and vrata depend on controlling the subtle instruments (mind, senses, guṇas) that shape intention (saṅkalpa) and purity of action.