Shloka 32

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

Devanagari script

शुभाशुभात्मिका या तु सैव सृष्टिः प्रशस्यते एवं स्थितः स तेनादौ सृष्टेः स्थाणुरतो ऽभवत् //

Transliteration

śubhāśubhātmikā yā tu saiva sṛṣṭiḥ praśasyate evaṃ sthitaḥ sa tenādau sṛṣṭeḥ sthāṇurato 'bhavat //

Translation

That creation which is of the nature of both the auspicious and the inauspicious is indeed what is acknowledged as “creation.” Thus established, at the very beginning of creation he became the sthāṇu—the steadfast pillar of the creative process.

Word by Word

• śubha: auspicious, beneficial

• aśubha: inauspicious, harmful

• ātmikā: having the nature/essence of

• yā: which

• tu: indeed/but

• sā eva: that alone/that very

• sṛṣṭiḥ: creation, manifestation

• praśasyate: is praised/approved/affirmed

• evaṃ: thus

• sthitaḥ: situated, established

• sa: he

• tena: by that/therefore

• ādau: at the beginning

• sṛṣṭeḥ: of creation

• sthāṇuḥ: the immovable one, pillar, steadfast support

• ataḥ: therefore/for that reason

• abhavat: became

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu (contextual attribution for early cosmology discourse in Matsya Purana)

Entities Mentioned

• Srishti
• Sthanu

Tags

• Creation
• Cosmology
• Shubha-Ashubha
• Purana Philosophy
• Pralaya Context

FAQs

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

It frames creation as inherently mixed—containing both auspicious and inauspicious elements—implying that cosmic cycles (including Pralaya and re-creation) restore order but do not erase the dual texture of manifested existence.

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

By acknowledging that worldly life contains both śubha and aśubha outcomes, it supports a dharmic ethic: rulers and householders should build stability (sthāṇu-like steadiness) through law, discipline, charity, and right conduct amid inevitable mixed circumstances.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The term “sthāṇu” (pillar/steadfast support) lends itself to a Vastu-aligned metaphor of stable foundations and supporting pillars; ritually, it also echoes the need for fixed order (niyama) as the ‘support’ of correct practice.