Shloka 25

Matsya Purana — Brahmā’s Four Faces

Devanagari script

त्रिगुणं तद्विकारेण तच्छब्दस्पर्शरूपवत् तेजोविकाराद् अभवद् वारि राजंश् चतुर्गुणम् //

Transliteration

triguṇaṃ tadvikāreṇa tacchabdasparśarūpavat tejovikārād abhavad vāri rājaṃś caturguṇam //

Translation

From that fire, by its transformation, there arose water, O King—possessing four qualities: it bears sound, touch, and form, and in addition taste.

Word by Word

• त्रिगुणम्: having three qualities

• तत्-विकारेण: by the transformation of that (element, i.e., fire)

• तत्-शब्द-स्पर्श-रूपवत्: endowed with sound, touch, and form

• तेजः-विकारात्: from the modification of fire

• अभवत्: arose/came into being

• वारि: water

• राजन्: O king

• चतुर्गुणम्: having four qualities

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Lord Matsya
• Vaivasvata Manu
• Tejas (fire element)
• Vāri/Āpas (water element)

Tags

• Creation
• Mahabhutas
• Sankhya
• Cosmology
• Pralaya

FAQs

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

It states an ordered evolution of elements: water is produced from the transformation of fire, and each later element carries an additional sensory quality—supporting the Purāṇic/Sāṅkhya model used to explain creation and re-creation after Pralaya.

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

By addressing Manu as “O King,” the teaching frames cosmology as essential royal knowledge: understanding the world’s elemental order supports dharmic governance and household ritual life grounded in purity (especially the role of water in daily rites).

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Water as a four-quality element underpins ritual purification (snāna, ācamana, abhiṣeka) and, by extension, Vāstu practice—site selection, water placement, and consecration rites that rely on āpas as a primary purifying substance.