Shloka 6

Matsya Purana — Brahmā’s Four Faces

Devanagari script

मरीचिर् अभवत् पूर्वं ततो ऽत्रिर् भगवान् ऋषिः अङ्गिरश् चाभवत् पश्चात् पुलस्त्यस् तदनन्तरम् //

Transliteration

marīcir abhavat pūrvaṃ tato 'trir bhagavān ṛṣiḥ aṅgiraś cābhavat paścāt pulastyas tadanantaram //

Translation

Marīci came into being first; then the revered sage Atri; after that arose Aṅgiras, and thereafter Pulastya in due sequence.

Word by Word

• मरीचिः (marīciḥ): Marīci

• अभवत् (abhavat): came into being/was born/arose

• पूर्वम् (pūrvam): first/previously

• ततः (tataḥ): then/thereafter

• अत्रिः (atriḥ): Atri

• भगवान् (bhagavān): venerable/divine/revered

• ऋषिः (ṛṣiḥ): sage/seer

• अङ्गिरः (aṅgiraḥ): Aṅgiras

• च (ca): and

• अभवत् (abhavat): arose

• पश्चात् (paścāt): afterwards

• पुलस्त्यः (pulastyaḥ): Pulastya

• तदनन्तरम् (tadanantaram): immediately after that/in that sequence.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu, describing primordial genealogies)

Entities Mentioned

• Marici
• Atri
• Angiras
• Pulastya

Tags

• Creation
• Genealogy
• Sages
• Manvantara
• Prajapatis

FAQs

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

It reflects the ordered emergence of primordial sages during creation (sarga), presenting a sequential genealogy rather than describing dissolution (pralaya).

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

By grounding society in sacred lineages of ṛṣis, it supports the Purāṇic view that kings and householders should uphold dharma through respect for sages, tradition, and lineage-based transmission of law and ritual.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or temple rule is stated; the ritual takeaway is genealogical—these ṛṣis are foundational authorities for Vedic revelation and ritual lineages referenced elsewhere in the Matsya Purāṇa.