Shloka 57

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

Devanagari script

अहं ज्योतिरहं वायुर् अहं भूमिरहं नभः अहमापः समुद्राश्च नक्षत्राणि दिशो दश //

Transliteration

ahaṃ jyotirahaṃ vāyur ahaṃ bhūmirahaṃ nabhaḥ ahamāpaḥ samudrāśca nakṣatrāṇi diśo daśa //

Translation

I am the light; I am the wind. I am the earth and I am the sky. I am the waters and the oceans, the stars, and the ten directions.

Word by Word

• aham: I (the Supreme Lord)

• jyotiḥ: light, radiance

• vāyuḥ: wind, vital air

• bhūmiḥ: earth

• nabhaḥ: sky, space

• āpaḥ: waters

• samudrāḥ: oceans

• ca: and

• nakṣatrāṇi: stars/constellations

• diśaḥ: directions/quarters

• daśa: ten (the ten directions)

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) speaking to Vaivasvata Manu (contextual attribution within the Matsya–Manu dialogue)

Entities Mentioned

• Lord Matsya
• Vishnu
• ten directions (daśa-diśaḥ)
• nakṣatras (constellations)

Tags

• Cosmology
• Vishnu Tattva
• Divine Immanence
• Pralaya Context
• Puranic Metaphysics

FAQs

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

It presents the Lord as identical with the fundamental constituents of the cosmos (elements, directions, celestial bodies), implying that creation and dissolution occur within Him and are sustained by His all-pervading presence.

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

By teaching that the divine pervades all realms—earth, waters, sky, and all directions—it supports dharmic governance and household conduct grounded in reverence for the world as sacred, encouraging protection of land, waters, and orderly conduct in all quarters.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The explicit mention of the ten directions aligns with Vastu and ritual orientation principles: sacred layouts, consecrations, and offerings are performed with directional awareness (daśa-diśaḥ), treating space itself as imbued with divinity.