Shloka 54

Matsya Purana — Manvantaras

Devanagari script

अव्यक्तादिविशेषान्तव् इकारे ऽस्मिन्निवर्तते चेतनाचेतनं ज्ञात्वा ज्ञाने ज्ञानी स उच्यते //

Transliteration

avyaktādiviśeṣāntav ikāre 'sminnivartate cetanācetanaṃ jñātvā jñāne jñānī sa ucyate //

Translation

From the Unmanifest up to the differentiated particulars, all this is resolved and comes to rest in this very principle; having discerned what is conscious and what is unconscious, one is called a knower, established in true knowledge.

Word by Word

• avyakta: the Unmanifest (primordial, unexpressed principle)

• ādi: beginning/from

• viśeṣa: particularity, differentiated entities

• anta: end/up to

• asmin: in this/within this

• nivartate: returns, ceases, is resolved

• cetanā: consciousness/sentience

• acetana: insentient matter/non-conscious

• jñātvā: having known/discerned

• jñāne: in knowledge/in wisdom

• jñānī: a knower, the wise

• saḥ: he

• ucyate: is said/called

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Matsya
• Vaivasvata Manu
• Avyakta
• Cetanā
• Acetanā

Tags

• Jnana
• Sankhya
• Moksha
• Pralaya
• Viveka

FAQs

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

It frames dissolution as a “return” of differentiated forms (viśeṣa) into a subtler ground (the unmanifest/underlying principle), emphasizing that wise insight sees how manifestation resolves back into its source.

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

It points to inner governance: alongside outer duties, a ruler or householder should cultivate viveka—clear discernment of the conscious self versus inert possessions/status—so action remains grounded in wisdom rather than attachment.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or ritual rule is stated; the takeaway is philosophical—ritual and construction are secondary to the discriminative knowledge (cetanā–acetanā viveka) that defines a true jñānī.