Shloka 8

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

Devanagari script

अमूर्तं मूर्तिमद् वापि मिथुनं तत्प्रचक्षते विरिञ्चिर् यत्र भगवांस् तत्र देवी सरस्वती भारती यत्र यत्रैव तत्र तत्र प्रजापतिः //

Transliteration

amūrtaṃ mūrtimad vāpi mithunaṃ tatpracakṣate viriñcir yatra bhagavāṃs tatra devī sarasvatī bhāratī yatra yatraiva tatra tatra prajāpatiḥ //

Translation

Whether unmanifest or embodied, that Reality is spoken of as a paired principle. Wherever the Blessed Viriñci (Brahmā) is present, there too is the Goddess Sarasvatī—Bhāratī, the power of speech and knowledge. And wherever she is, there indeed is Prajāpati, the Lord of progeny.

Word by Word

• amūrtam: unmanifest, without form

• mūrtimat: embodied, with form

• vā api: or even

• mithunam: a pair, a complementary couple

• tat: that (principle/reality)

• pracakṣate: is declared/termed

• viriñciḥ: Viriñci (Brahmā)

• yatra: where

• bhagavān: the Blessed Lord

• tatra: there

• devī: Goddess

• sarasvatī: Sarasvatī

• bhāratī: Bhāratī (speech, eloquence)

• yatra yatra eva: wherever indeed

• prajāpatiḥ: Prajāpati (progenitor, Brahmā as creator).

Speaker

• Sūta (narrator) describing doctrinal identity of Brahmā and Sarasvatī within the Matsya Purana’s creation-themed discourse

Entities Mentioned

• Viriñci (Brahmā)
• Sarasvatī
• Bhāratī
• Prajāpati

Tags

• Creation
• Deity-Pairing
• Sarasvatī
• Brahmā
• Puranic Theology

FAQs

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

It frames creation as arising through a complementary pair: Brahmā as Prajāpati (creative agency) and Sarasvatī/Bhāratī as knowledge and speech—implying that manifestation (mūrta) depends on both principle and power, even when spoken of as unmanifest (amūrta).

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

By identifying Bhāratī (right speech, learning) as inseparable from Prajāpati (orderly generation and governance), it supports the ethical ideal that rulership and household life must be guided by education, truthful speech, and disciplined knowledge.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Indirectly, it underlines a core ritual principle used in temple and icon traditions: deity and śakti are inseparable; thus worship, mantra, and installation practices often honor the paired presence (mithuna) rather than treating the deity as isolated.