Shloka 86

Matsya Purana — Division of Bhārata-varṣa

Devanagari script

भूतैरपि निविष्टानि गतिमन्ति ध्रुवाणि च तेषां वृद्धिर्बहुविधा दृश्यते देवमानुषैः अशक्या परिसंख्यातुं श्रद्धेया च बुभूषता //

Transliteration

bhūtairapi niviṣṭāni gatimanti dhruvāṇi ca teṣāṃ vṛddhirbahuvidhā dṛśyate devamānuṣaiḥ aśakyā parisaṃkhyātuṃ śraddheyā ca bubhūṣatā //

Translation

Even those forms that are entered into by the elements are in motion and yet fixed in their order. Their growth and expansion are seen in many ways by gods and humans; it cannot be fully reckoned by counting, and one who seeks true understanding should accept it with reverent trust.

Word by Word

• bhūtaiḥ: by the elements (bhūtas)

• api: even/also

• niviṣṭāni: entered into, pervaded/inhabited

• gatimanti: possessing motion, moving

• dhruvāṇi: fixed, stable, constant (in their station/order)

• ca: and

• teṣām: of them

• vṛddhiḥ: growth, increase, expansion

• bahuvidhā: of many kinds, manifold

• dṛśyate: is seen/observed

• deva-mānuṣaiḥ: by gods and humans

• aśakyā: impossible

• parisaṅkhyātum: to count completely, to enumerate exhaustively

• śraddheyā: worthy of faith, to be trusted/received with श्रद्धा

• ca: and

• bubhūṣatā: by one who wishes to know/understand, a seeker.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu (contextual attribution for this cosmology passage)

Entities Mentioned

• Bhūtas (elements)
• Devas
• Mānuṣas (humans)

Tags

• Cosmology
• Sarga
• Pralaya
• Bhūtas
• Puranic philosophy

FAQs

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

It emphasizes the ordered structure of creation: elemental embodiments can be dynamic yet remain fixed in cosmic law; the scale and modes of increase are beyond complete human calculation—hinting at the vastness that precedes and follows pralaya cycles.

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

By highlighting that worldly increase is manifold and not fully controllable or countable, it encourages humility and dharmic governance—acting according to established order (dhruva-niyama) rather than pride in managing all outcomes.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or ritual rule is stated; the takeaway is conceptual—ritual and sacred architecture presume a stable cosmic order (dhruva) while accommodating movement/flow (gati), aligning practice with the cosmos.