Shloka 53

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

Devanagari script

अहं सर्वाणि सत्त्वानि दैवतान्यखिलानि तु भुजंगानामहं शेषस् तार्क्ष्यो वै सर्वपक्षिणाम् //

Transliteration

ahaṃ sarvāṇi sattvāni daivatānyakhilāni tu bhujaṃgānāmahaṃ śeṣas tārkṣyo vai sarvapakṣiṇām //

Translation

I am the life within all beings, and I am indeed all the gods in their entirety. Among serpents I am Śeṣa, and among all birds I am Tārkṣya (Garuḍa).

Word by Word

• aham: I

• sarvāṇi: all

• sattvāni: living beings/creatures

• daivatāni: deities/divine powers

• akhilāni: entire, without remainder

• tu: indeed

• bhujaṅgānām: among serpents

• aham: I

• śeṣaḥ: Śeṣa (Ananta, the cosmic serpent)

• tārkṣyaḥ: Tārkṣya (Garuḍa)

• vai: verily/indeed

• sarva-pakṣiṇām: among all birds

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (as a form of Vishnu) addressing Vaivasvata Manu

Entities Mentioned

• Śeṣa (Ananta)
• Tārkṣya (Garuḍa)
• Devatāḥ (the gods)

Tags

• Vishnu Vibhuti
• Iconography
• Puranic Theology
• Cosmic Hierarchy
• Divine Supremacy

FAQs

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

It presents a theological key used in Purāṇic cosmology: the Supreme (here, Matsya/Vishnu) is the inner essence of all beings and gods, implying that at dissolution all powers resolve back into that single source.

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

By asserting one divine essence pervading all beings, it supports dharma grounded in reverence and non-harm: a king should protect subjects impartially, and a householder should practice restraint and devotion, seeing life as sacred.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu rule appears, but ritually it guides temple and worship iconography: Śeṣa and Garuḍa function as canonical identifiers (lakṣaṇa) of Viṣṇu traditions—useful for selecting emblems, attendants, and narrative panels.