Shloka 47

Matsya Purana — Brahmā’s Four Faces

Devanagari script

स्वारोचिषाद्याः सर्वे ते ब्रह्मतुल्यस्वरूपिणः औत्तमिप्रमुखास् तद्वद् येसां त्वं सप्तमो ऽधुना //

Transliteration

svārociṣādyāḥ sarve te brahmatulyasvarūpiṇaḥ auttamipramukhās tadvad yesāṃ tvaṃ saptamo 'dhunā //

Translation

All those Manus beginning with Svārociṣa are of a form equal to Brahmā. Likewise are those beginning with Auttami; among them, you are now the seventh.

Word by Word

• svārociṣa-ādyāḥ: beginning with Svārociṣa

• sarve: all

• te: they

• brahma-tulya-svarūpiṇaḥ: possessing a form/nature equal to Brahmā

• auttami-pramukhāḥ: those headed by (Manu) Auttami

• tadvat: similarly, in the same way

• yeṣām: of whom/among whom

• tvam: you

• saptamaḥ: the seventh

• adhunā: now, at present

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) addressing Vaivasvata Manu

Entities Mentioned

• Svārociṣa Manu
• Auttami Manu
• Brahmā
• Vaivasvata Manu

Tags

• Manvantara
• Cosmic Genealogy
• Manu Lineage
• Creation
• Puranic Cosmology

FAQs

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

It situates cosmic time through the Manvantara system: multiple Manus govern successive eras, and they are described as Brahmā-like in status—an organizing principle for creation cycles rather than a direct Pralaya description.

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

By elevating Manu as Brahmā-like, the verse reinforces Manu as the archetypal lawgiver: kings and householders are expected to uphold dharma and social order as part of the Manvantara’s governance model.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or ritual procedure is stated; the significance is contextual—Manvantara authority (Manu) underpins later dharma, ritual norms, and temple/settlement regulations taught elsewhere in the Matsya Purana.