Shloka 4

Matsya Purana — Nārāyaṇa as Haṃsa in the Cosmic Ocean: Vedic Yajña-Puruṣa and Mārkaṇḍeya’s Vi...

Devanagari script

याथातथ्यं परं ज्ञानं भूतं तद्ब्रह्मणा पुरा रहस्यारण्यकोद्दिष्टं यच्चौपनिषदं स्मृतम् //

Transliteration

yāthātathyaṃ paraṃ jñānaṃ bhūtaṃ tadbrahmaṇā purā rahasyāraṇyakoddiṣṭaṃ yaccaupaniṣadaṃ smṛtam //

Translation

That supreme knowledge—truth exactly as it is—was formerly known to Brahmā; it is the secret teaching indicated in the Āraṇyakas and remembered as the Upaniṣadic doctrine.

Word by Word

• yāthātathyam: reality as-it-is, exact truth

• param: supreme

• jñānam: knowledge

• bhūtam: existent/that which is (established)

• tat: that

• brahmaṇā: by Brahmā

• purā: formerly, in ancient times

• rahasya: secret, esoteric doctrine

• āraṇyaka-uddiṣṭam: taught/pointed out in the Āraṇyakas

• yat: which

• ca: and

• aupaniṣadam: belonging to the Upaniṣads, Upaniṣadic

• smṛtam: remembered, traditionally held

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (instructing Vaivasvata Manu in Brahma-vidya context)

Entities Mentioned

• Brahmā
• Āraṇyakas
• Upaniṣads

Tags

• Brahma-vidya
• Upanishads
• Rahasya
• Vedic Literature
• Jnana

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; it frames the Purana’s teaching as Brahmā’s ancient, Upaniṣadic “supreme knowledge,” implying that true understanding transcends cosmic cycles.

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

By identifying “param jñāna” as the highest truth preserved in the Upaniṣads, it implies that royal and household duties should be guided by inner wisdom (self-knowledge and discernment), not merely external rule-following.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or iconographic rule is stated; the ritual takeaway is that the Purana aligns its instruction with Āraṇyaka–Upaniṣad authority, emphasizing contemplative, esoteric foundations behind rites.