Shloka 52

Matsya Purana — Description of Gomedaka and Puṣkara Dvīpas; the Lokāloka Boundary; Ocean Tide...

Devanagari script

भूतादितो दशगुणं महद्भूतान्यधारयत् महत्तत्त्वं ह्यनन्तेन अव्यक्तेन तु धार्यते //

Transliteration

bhūtādito daśaguṇaṃ mahadbhūtānyadhārayat mahattattvaṃ hyanantena avyaktena tu dhāryate //

Translation

Tenfold beyond the bhūtādi, the Great Principle (mahat) sustained the gross elements; and that Mahat-tattva, in turn, is upheld by the Infinite—namely, the Unmanifest (avyakta).

Word by Word

• bhūta-āditaḥ: beginning with the elements

• daśa-guṇam: tenfold (in measure/subtlety)

• mahat-bhūtāni: the great elements / the gross elemental category

• adhārayat: supported, upheld

• mahat-tattvam: the principle of Mahat (cosmic intelligence)

• hi: indeed

• anantena: by the Infinite

• avyaktena: by the Unmanifest (Prakṛti/Avyakta)

• tu: and/in turn

• dhāryate: is sustained, is borne

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Ananta
• Avyakta
• Mahat-tattva
• Bhūtas (elements)

Tags

• Pralaya
• Cosmology
• Tattva-theory
• Sāṃkhya
• Creation

FAQs

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

It outlines a support-chain of reality: gross elements depend on Mahat, and Mahat depends on the Unmanifest (Avyakta/Infinite), implying that at Pralaya the manifest resolves back toward subtler principles.

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

Indirectly, it teaches hierarchy and dependence: just as the cosmos rests on higher principles, a ruler or householder should ground action in steadiness, restraint, and alignment with dharma rather than merely material outcomes.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or ritual rule is stated; however, the verse’s cosmological hierarchy is often used as a conceptual basis for temple symbolism—moving from gross forms to subtler principles represented in sanctum-centered design.