Shloka 31

Matsya Purana — Catalogue of the Eighteen Puranas

Devanagari script

यत्राधिकृत्य माहात्म्यम् आदित्यस्य चतुर्मुखः अघोरकल्पवृत्तान्तप्रसङ्गेन जगत्स्थितिम् मनवे कथयामास भूतग्रामस्य लक्षणम् //

Transliteration

yatrādhikṛtya māhātmyam ādityasya caturmukhaḥ aghorakalpavṛttāntaprasaṅgena jagatsthitim manave kathayāmāsa bhūtagrāmasya lakṣaṇam //

Translation

There, having taken up the greatness of Āditya (the Sun), the Four-faced One (Brahmā), in the course of recounting the events of the Aghora-kalpa, explained to Manu the established order of the world and the defining characteristics of the multitude of beings.

Word by Word

• yatra: there/wherein

• adhikṛtya: having taken as the subject, having undertaken

• māhātmyam: greatness, sacred majesty

• ādityasya: of Āditya (the Sun)

• caturmukhaḥ: the four-faced one (Brahmā)

• aghora-kalpa: the Aghora Kalpa (a named cosmic aeon)

• vṛttānta: account, narrative, occurrences

• prasaṅgena: in connection with, in the course of

• jagat-sthitim: the world’s stability/order/continuance

• manave: to Manu

• kathayāmāsa: narrated, told

• bhūta-grāmasya: of the host/aggregate of beings (living entities/elements)

• lakṣaṇam: marks, characteristics, defining features.

Speaker

• Narratorial frame indicating Brahmā as the instructor to Manu (reported speech context)

Entities Mentioned

• Aditya (Surya)
• Brahma (Caturmukha)
• Vaivasvata Manu
• Aghora Kalpa
• Jagat (cosmic order)
• Bhuta-grama (multitude of beings)

Tags

• Cosmology
• Kalpa
• Surya Mahatmya
• Manvantara
• Creation Order

FAQs

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

It points to cosmological structuring rather than dissolution: Brahmā explains jagat-sthiti (the world’s established order) within a specific kalpa context (Aghora-kalpa), implying a systematic cycle of aeons rather than a single catastrophic pralaya description here.

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

By grounding Manu’s instruction in cosmic order (jagat-sthiti) and the nature of beings (bhūta-grāma-lakṣaṇa), it provides the metaphysical basis for dharma: governance and household conduct are to align with the ordered structure of the world and the inherent characteristics of living beings.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or temple-rule detail appears in this verse; its ritual significance is indirect—Āditya’s māhātmya and cosmic order are typical foundations for later ritual prescriptions (e.g., solar rites, calendrical timing, and purity frameworks) in Purāṇic literature.