Shloka 52

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

Devanagari script

द्विपदश्चाभवन् केचित् केचिद् बहुपदा नराः वलीमुखाः शङ्कुकर्णाः कर्णप्रावरणास् तथा //

Transliteration

dvipadaścābhavan kecit kecid bahupadā narāḥ valīmukhāḥ śaṅkukarṇāḥ karṇaprāvaraṇās tathā //

Translation

Some were born two-footed, while some humans came forth with many feet; some had wrinkled or folded faces, some had conch-like ears, and others had ears that served as coverings.

Word by Word

• dvipadāḥ: two-footed beings

• ca: and

• abhavan: came into being/were born

• kecit: some

• kecit: others

• bahupadāḥ: many-footed

• narāḥ: humans/men

• valīmukhāḥ: having faces with folds/wrinkles

• śaṅkukarṇāḥ: having conch-shaped ears

• karṇaprāvaraṇāḥ: having ears as coverings/ear-curtained

• tathā: likewise/also

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu, describing creation’s varieties)

Entities Mentioned

• Lord Matsya
• Vaivasvata Manu
• narāḥ (humans)

Tags

• Creation
• Cosmology
• Mythic Anthropology
• Puranic Biology
• Sarga

FAQs

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

It reflects the post-creation (sarga) theme: creation manifests diverse and even wondrous bodily forms, indicating the vast variability of beings that arise in the cosmic process.

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

Indirectly, it frames society as comprising many kinds of people; a king’s dharma includes protecting and governing all subjects impartially, regardless of outward form, while householders are guided toward compassion and non-cruelty toward beings.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vastu or ritual rule appears in this verse; it is primarily cosmological/anthropological, describing varieties of embodied beings rather than temple-building or rites.