Shloka 51

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

Devanagari script

आदित्यवर्णः पुरुषो मखे ब्रह्ममयो मखः अहमग्निर्हव्यवाहो यादसां पतिरव्ययः //

Transliteration

ādityavarṇaḥ puruṣo makhe brahmamayo makhaḥ ahamagnirhavyavāho yādasāṃ patiravyayaḥ //

Translation

In the sacrifice, the Puruṣa is radiant like the Sun; the sacrifice itself is pervaded by Brahman. I am Agni, the bearer of oblations, and I am the imperishable lord of the waters.

Word by Word

• āditya-varṇaḥ: sun-hued, radiant like Āditya

• puruṣaḥ: the Cosmic Person (Yajña-Puruṣa)

• makhe: in the sacrifice/at the rite

• brahma-mayaḥ: consisting of Brahman, pervaded by Brahman

• makhaḥ: the sacrifice (yajña)

• aham: I

• agniḥ: Agni (fire)

• havya-vāhaḥ: carrier of offerings/oblations

• yādasām: of the waters/aquatic beings (lit. ‘water-dwellers’)

• patiḥ: lord, master

• avyayaḥ: imperishable, undecaying

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) speaking to Vaivasvata Manu in a self-identificatory theological passage

Entities Mentioned

• Puruṣa (Yajña-Puruṣa)
• Āditya (Sun)
• Brahman
• Agni
• Apām Pati (Lord of Waters)

Tags

• Yajna
• Yajna-Purusha
• Agni
• Vishnu-Theology
• Ritual-Philosophy

FAQs

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

It presents the deity as the imperishable principle present in fire and waters—elements central to Pralaya imagery—implying divine continuity even when worlds dissolve.

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

By identifying the Lord with yajña and Agni, it reinforces that kings and householders uphold dharma through properly performed sacrifices and offerings, seeing ritual as participation in cosmic order.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it centers Agni as the havya-vāha (conduit of offerings) and frames yajña as brahma-maya, a key premise behind consecration rites (pratiṣṭhā) that also underpin Puranic temple-ritual procedure.