Shloka 18

Matsya Purana — Emergence of Brahmā from the Golden Lotus and the Lotus-Form Earth

Devanagari script

विभुस्तथैवाप्रतिमप्रभावः प्रभाकराभो वरुणः सितद्युतिः शनैः स्वयंभूः शयनं सृजत्तदा जगन्मयं पद्मविधिं महार्णवे //

Transliteration

vibhustathaivāpratimaprabhāvaḥ prabhākarābho varuṇaḥ sitadyutiḥ śanaiḥ svayaṃbhūḥ śayanaṃ sṛjattadā jaganmayaṃ padmavidhiṃ mahārṇave //

Translation

Then the Self-born Lord—all-pervading, of incomparable power, radiant like the sun, Varuṇa-like in majesty, and shining with a pure white splendor—gradually brought forth in the great cosmic ocean a couch (resting-place) that was itself the universe, and established the Lotus-born Ordainer (Brahmā) upon it.

Word by Word

• विभुः: the all-pervading Lord

• तथा एव: just so/likewise

• अप्रतिम-प्रभावः: of incomparable might and efficacy

• प्रभाकर-आभः: having the radiance of the sun

• वरुणः: Varuṇa-like (lordly, oceanic/sovereign aspect)

• सित-द्युतिः: of white/pure brilliance

• शनैः: gradually, step by step

• स्वयंभूः: the Self-born (primordial creator principle)

• शयनम्: couch, resting-place, cosmic bed

• सृजत्: created, brought forth

• तदा: then

• जगत्-मयम्: consisting of the universe, made of the cosmos

• पद्म-विधिम्: the lotus-born ordainer (Brahmā, the arranger of creation)

• महा-अर्णवे: in the great ocean (cosmic waters).

Speaker

• Likely Lord Matsya (Vishnu) narrating to Vaivasvata Manu within the Matsya–Manu dialogue (cosmogonic passage).

Entities Mentioned

• Svayambhu (Self-born principle)
• Varuna
• Brahma (Padmavidhi)

Tags

• Pralaya
• Creation
• Cosmic Ocean
• Brahma
• Cosmogony

FAQs

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

It presents creation re-emerging from the cosmic waters: the Self-born principle gradually manifests a cosmic resting-place in the great ocean and establishes the lotus-born Brahmā (Padmavidhi) to begin ordering the world.

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

Indirectly, it frames dharma as alignment with cosmic order: just as Brahmā ‘ordains’ (vidhi) the world from primordial waters, a king or householder is expected to establish order gradually and lawfully, reflecting the puranic ideal of governance as world-sustaining arrangement.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

While not prescribing Vastu rules, it provides a key archetype used in temple-ritual symbolism: the cosmic ocean and the divine ‘śayana’ (cosmic couch) underpin iconographic and ritual motifs (e.g., creation imagery and lotus-birth themes) often referenced in Puranic temple programs.