Shloka 41

Matsya Purana — Brahmā’s Four Faces

Devanagari script

ततस् तान् अब्रवीद् ब्रह्मा पुत्रान् आत्मसमुद्भवान् प्रजाः सृजध्वम् अभितः सदेवासुरमानुषीः //

Transliteration

tatas tān abravīd brahmā putrān ātmasamudbhavān prajāḥ sṛjadhvam abhitaḥ sadevāsuramānuṣīḥ //

Translation

Then Brahmā addressed those sons born from his own being: “Create living beings on all sides—together with the gods, the asuras, and humankind.”

Word by Word

• tataḥ: then

• tān: to them/those (sons)

• abravīt: said/spoke

• brahmā: Brahmā

• putrān: sons

• ātma-samudbhavān: arisen from his own self/essence

• prajāḥ: creatures/subjects/offspring

• sṛjadhvam: create (plural imperative)

• abhitaḥ: on all sides/everywhere

• sa-devāsura-mānuṣīḥ: along with devas, asuras, and humans

Speaker

• Narrator (Purāṇic narration describing Brahmā’s instruction to his mind-born sons)

Entities Mentioned

• Brahmā
• Prajā (created beings)
• Devas
• Asuras
• Humans (Mānuṣas)

Tags

• Creation
• Prajā-sarga
• Cosmogony
• Devas and Asuras
• Matsya Purana narrative

FAQs

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

It presents the post-origination phase of creation: Brahmā commissions his self-born sons to proliferate beings—devas, asuras, and humans—indicating ordered re-population rather than dissolution.

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

By framing society as part of “prajā” (subjects/creatures) within a divinely ordered creation, it underwrites dharma: kings protect and govern prajā, and householders sustain prajā through righteous livelihood and progeny.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or ritual rule appears in this verse; its significance is foundational—establishing the cosmic mandate for orderly manifestation, which later supports Purāṇic prescriptions for rites and sacred construction as part of maintaining dharma.