Shloka 31

Matsya Purana — Brahmā–Gāyatrī as a Divine Pair and the Early Genealogies of Creation

Devanagari script

वामो ऽसृजन्नमर्त्यांस् तान् ब्रह्मणा विनिवारितः नैवंविधा भवेत्सृष्टिर् जरामरणवर्जिता //

Transliteration

vāmo 'sṛjannamartyāṃs tān brahmaṇā vinivāritaḥ naivaṃvidhā bhavetsṛṣṭir jarāmaraṇavarjitā //

Translation

Vāma began creating those beings as deathless; but he was restrained by Brahmā, for creation should not be of such a kind—devoid of old age and death.

Word by Word

• vāmāḥ/vāmaḥ: Vāma (a creator-aspect/name in the creation account)

• asṛjan: created

• amartyān: deathless, immortal beings

• tān: those (beings)

• brahmaṇā: by Brahmā

• vinivāritaḥ: checked, restrained, prevented

• na: not

• evaṃ-vidhā: of this kind

• bhavet: should be/ought to become

• sṛṣṭiḥ: creation

• jarā: old age

• maraṇa: death

• varjitā: devoid of, free from

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (narrating the principles of creation to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Brahmā
• Vāma

Tags

• Sarga
• Creation
• Mortality
• Cosmic Order
• Prajāpati

FAQs

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

It states a rule of sṛṣṭi (creation): beings in the manifested world are meant to be subject to aging and death; an attempt to create an immortal population is checked by Brahmā to preserve cosmic order.

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

By affirming mortality as part of dharma, it supports the Matsya Purana’s ethic that kings and householders should govern and live with awareness of impermanence—prioritizing righteous conduct, succession, charity, and duties suited to a finite lifespan.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct vāstu or ritual procedure is taught in this verse; its takeaway is philosophical—rituals and temple-building later in the Matsya Purana are framed as acts performed within a mortal, time-bound human condition.