Shloka 42

Matsya Purana — Brahmā’s Four Faces

Devanagari script

एवम् उक्तास् ततः सर्वे ससृजुर् विविधाः प्रजाः गतेषु तेषु सृष्ट्यर्थं प्रणामावनताम् इमाम् //

Transliteration

evam uktās tataḥ sarve sasṛjur vividhāḥ prajāḥ gateṣu teṣu sṛṣṭyarthaṃ praṇāmāvanatām imām //

Translation

Thus instructed, all of them then brought forth diverse kinds of creatures; and when they had departed for the purpose of creation, this one remained bowed down in reverent obeisance.

Word by Word

• evam: thus

• uktāḥ: having been addressed/instructed

• tataḥ: then

• sarve: all

• sasṛjuḥ: they created/brought forth

• vividhāḥ: various/diverse

• prajāḥ: progeny/creatures

• gateṣu: when (they) had gone/departed

• teṣu: they/those (beings)

• sṛṣṭyartham: for the sake/purpose of creation

• praṇāma-avanatām: bent low in salutation/obeisance

• imām: this (person/one, feminine accusative—“this one here”).

Speaker

• Narratorial voice within the Matsya Purana’s creation account (Suta-style narration; dialogue context not explicit in this single verse)

Entities Mentioned

• Prajāḥ (beings/creatures)
• Creators/agents of creation (implicit: appointed progenitors)

Tags

• Creation
• Sarga
• Cosmology
• Prajā
• Obeisance

FAQs

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

It describes sarga (creation): once instructed, the agents of creation generate diverse beings and proceed to carry out creation—this is a post-instruction, world-populating moment rather than a pralaya description.

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

The emphasis is on obedience to rightful instruction and humility (praṇāma). In Purāṇic ethics, rulers and householders are likewise expected to act on dharmic counsel and maintain reverence toward divine order and teachers.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No vastu/temple-rule is stated directly; the ritual motif present is praṇāma (reverent salutation), a foundational act of worship and respectful conduct that precedes many rites.