Shloka 14

Matsya Purana — Brahmā’s Four Faces

Devanagari script

*मत्स्य उवाच सत्त्वं रजस् तमश् चैव गुणत्रयम् उदाहृतम् साम्यावस्थितिर् एतेषां प्रकृतिः परिकीर्तिता //

Transliteration

*matsya uvāca sattvaṃ rajas tamaś caiva guṇatrayam udāhṛtam sāmyāvasthitir eteṣāṃ prakṛtiḥ parikīrtitā //

Translation

Lord Matsya said: Sattva, rajas, and tamas are declared to be the three guṇas. The condition in which these abide in equilibrium is called Prakṛti, primordial Nature.

Word by Word

• मत्स्य उवाच: Matsya said

• सत्त्वम्: sattva (clarity, harmony)

• रजस्: rajas (activity, passion)

• तमः: tamas (inertia, darkness)

• च एव: and indeed

• गुणत्रयम्: the triad of qualities

• उदाहृतम्: is declared/expounded

• साम्य-अवस्थितिः: equilibrium-state/balanced condition

• एतेषाम्: of these

• प्रकृतिः: Prakṛti (primordial Nature)

• परिकीर्तिता: is called/celebrated as

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Matsya Avatara of Vishnu)

Entities Mentioned

• Matsya
• Sattva
• Rajas
• Tamas
• Prakriti

Tags

• Guṇa-traya
• Sāṃkhya
• Prakṛti
• Creation
• Philosophy

FAQs

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

It defines Prakṛti as the equilibrium of sattva, rajas, and tamas—implying that cosmic manifestation begins when this balance is disturbed, and dissolution tends toward re-equilibration.

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

It frames ethical self-governance as managing the guṇas: cultivating sattva (clarity and restraint), regulating rajas (ambition and action), and reducing tamas (negligence), which supports righteous rule and disciplined household life.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or ritual rule is stated; indirectly, it supports the principle of balance (sāmya) as a foundational ideal behind orderly ritual conduct and harmonious design thinking later emphasized in Purāṇic traditions.