Shloka 35

Matsya Purana — Brahmā’s Four Faces

Devanagari script

अहो रूपम् अहो रूपम् इति प्राह पुनः पुनः ततः प्रणामनम्रां तां पुनर् एवाभ्यलोकयत् //

Transliteration

aho rūpam aho rūpam iti prāha punaḥ punaḥ tataḥ praṇāmanamrāṃ tāṃ punar evābhyalokayat //

Translation

“Ah, what a form! Ah, what a form!” he exclaimed again and again; then he looked once more at her, bowed down in reverent salutation.

Word by Word

• अहो (aho): ah!/indeed

• रूपम् (rūpam): form/appearance/beauty

• इति (iti): thus

• प्राह (prāha): said/exclaimed

• पुनः पुनः (punaḥ punaḥ): again and again

• ततः (tataḥ): then/thereupon

• प्रणाम-नम्राम् (praṇāma-namrām): bent low in salutation/reverently bowed

• ताम् (tām): her/that (feminine object)

• पुनर् एव (punar eva): once again/again indeed

• अभ्यलोकयत् (abhyalokayat): he looked at/observed attentively.

Speaker

• Narrator (Sūta tradition / Purāṇic narration describing the scene)

Entities Mentioned

• Matsya Purana
• Vishnu (implied by divine form)
• Manu (probable narrative frame in early chapters)

Tags

• Divine Form
• Wonder
• Reverence
• Bhakti
• Matsya-Manu Context

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe pralaya directly; it sets the devotional tone of the Matsya–Manu cycle by emphasizing awe (vismaya) and reverence before the divine manifestation that later guides beings through cosmic crisis.

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

It models ideal conduct: repeated praise of the divine and humble praṇāma. In Purāṇic ethics, rulers and householders are enjoined to cultivate humility and devotion, recognizing a higher dharmic order beyond personal power.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it highlights praṇāma (prostration/salutation) as a core act of worship connected to darśana (beholding the deity). No specific Vāstu or temple-building rule is stated in this verse.