Shloka 37

Matsya Purana — Brahmā’s Four Faces

Devanagari script

आविर्भूतं तत्रो वक्त्रं दक्षिणं पाण्डुगण्डवत् विस्मयस्फुरदोष्ठं च पाश्चात्यम् उदगात् ततः //

Transliteration

āvirbhūtaṃ tatro vaktraṃ dakṣiṇaṃ pāṇḍugaṇḍavat vismayasphuradoṣṭhaṃ ca pāścātyam udagāt tataḥ //

Translation

There, a southern face manifested, its cheeks pale; and then, from the western side, another rose up, its lips quivering in astonishment.

Word by Word

• आविर्भूतम्: manifested/appeared

• तत्र: there

• वक्त्रम्: face/mouth

• दक्षिणम्: southern

• पाण्डु-गण्ड-वत्: having pale cheeks

• विस्मय: astonishment/wonder

• स्फुरत्: trembling/quivering

• ओष्ठम्: lips

• च: and

• पाश्चात्यम्: western

• उदगात्: arose/went forth/appeared

• ततः: then/thereafter

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) describing the manifestation within the Matsya Purana’s deluge-era theophany (contextually linked to Lord Matsya’s revelation to Manu).

Entities Mentioned

• Matsya (contextual)
• Vaivasvata Manu (contextual)

Tags

• Pralaya
• Theophany
• Cosmic Form
• Omens
• Matsya Avatara

FAQs

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

It portrays a theophany-like manifestation with directional faces appearing—an omen of cosmic-scale events associated with the pralaya narrative, emphasizing divine presence and unfolding revelation rather than ordinary human action.

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

Indirectly: in the Matsya–Manu frame, extraordinary divine signs prompt disciplined response—listening to instruction, maintaining dharma under crisis, and acting with steadiness rather than fear when cosmic order is being reasserted.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The verse uses directional symbolism (south and west) and “manifested faces,” which later Vastu and ritual traditions map onto orientation, guardians of directions, and the theology of multi-directional divine presence—useful for interpreting temple iconography and directional consecration logic.