Shloka 5

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

Devanagari script

पुरुषो यज्ञ इत्येतद् यत्परं परिकीर्तितम् यश्चान्यः पुरुषाख्यः स्यात् स एष पुरुषोत्तमः //

Transliteration

puruṣo yajña ityetad yatparaṃ parikīrtitam yaścānyaḥ puruṣākhyaḥ syāt sa eṣa puruṣottamaḥ //

Translation

That supreme principle which is proclaimed as “the Person is the Sacrifice (Yajña)”—and that other one who is known by the name ‘Puruṣa’—he indeed is the Puruṣottama, the Supreme Person.

Word by Word

• puruṣaḥ: the Person (Cosmic Person / Supreme Being)

• yajñaḥ: sacrifice, sacred rite

• iti: thus

• etat: this

• yat: which

• param: supreme, highest

• parikīrtitam: is declared, is celebrated

• yaḥ ca: and whoever

• anyaḥ: other (also)

• puruṣa-ākhyaḥ: named ‘Puruṣa’

• syāt: may be/is

• saḥ eṣaḥ: he indeed, that very one

• puruṣottamaḥ: the Supreme Person (Vishnu as the highest Puruṣa)

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu (contextual attribution typical to the Matsya Purana’s dialogue frame)

Entities Mentioned

• Puruṣa
• Yajña
• Puruṣottama

Tags

• Vishnu-tattva
• Yajña
• Puruṣottama
• Vedanta
• Bhakti

FAQs

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

Indirectly, it frames the Supreme Reality as Puruṣottama—the same ultimate principle that remains constant through cosmic cycles, including pralaya; the verse emphasizes identity of the Supreme Person with the cosmic sacrificial order rather than narrating pralaya events.

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

By identifying the Supreme as Yajña, it underlines that righteous rule and household life should be anchored in yajña—i.e., disciplined offerings, charity, and duty performed as sacred service to the Supreme (Puruṣottama).

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it gives the key theology behind sacrifice: Yajña is not merely a procedure but is rooted in the Supreme Person; this supports Matsya Purana’s broader ritual worldview where rites (including consecrations and offerings) are oriented to Puruṣottama.