Shloka 5

Matsya Purana — Cosmic Creation: Emergence of the Great Elements and the Navel-Lotus

Devanagari script

शब्दं प्रति तदोद्भूतो मारुतश्छिद्रसंभवः स लब्ध्वान्तरमक्षोभ्यो व्यवर्धत समीरणः //

Transliteration

śabdaṃ prati tadodbhūto mārutaśchidrasaṃbhavaḥ sa labdhvāntaramakṣobhyo vyavardhata samīraṇaḥ //

Translation

In response to sound, the Wind (Vāyu) arose—born from an opening (space). Finding room to move, the unagitated air-current then expanded and grew.

Word by Word

• śabdam: sound

• prati: toward/in response to

• tad-udbhūtaḥ: then arose/was generated

• mārutaḥ: wind, Vāyu

• chidra-saṃbhavaḥ: arising from a gap/opening, born of space

• saḥ: he/that (wind)

• labdhvā: having obtained

• antaram: an interval, space, room

• akṣobhyaḥ: unshaken, unagitated, undisturbed

• vyavardhata: increased, expanded, grew

• samīraṇaḥ: the moving air, breeze, wind-current

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) speaking to Vaivasvata Manu (cosmological instruction)

Entities Mentioned

• Vayu (Maruta)
• Shabda (Sound)

Tags

• Cosmogony
• Tanmātras
• Vayu
• Pralaya
• Elemental evolution

FAQs

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

It presents a sarga-style principle: from subtle sound and spatial ‘opening’ (chidra/ākāśa-like room), the wind principle manifests and expands—an elemental evolution often taught alongside dissolution-and-recreation cycles.

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

Indirectly, it frames dharma in a cosmic order: just as wind grows when it has proper ‘space’ to move, a king or householder should create orderly conditions (discipline, boundaries, and room for righteous action) so society can flourish without agitation (akṣobhya).

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

By highlighting ‘chidra’ (open space/void) and regulated movement of air, it supports a Vāstu intuition: openings and spatial intervals enable healthy circulation—useful when interpreting Matsya Purana–style Vāstu guidance on ventilation and spatial planning.