Shloka 2
Matsya Purana — Origin of Soma
*सूत उवाच आदिष्टो ब्रह्मणा पूर्वम् अत्रिः सर्गविधौ पुरा अनुत्तमं नाम तपः सृष्ट्यर्थं तप्तवान्प्रभुः //
*sūta uvāca ādiṣṭo brahmaṇā pūrvam atriḥ sargavidhau purā anuttamaṃ nāma tapaḥ sṛṣṭyarthaṃ taptavānprabhuḥ //
Sūta said: Formerly, in the ancient procedure of creation, Atri—having been instructed by Brahmā—performed an unsurpassed austerity called “Anuttama,” for the sake of bringing forth creation.
FAQs
It highlights creation (sarga), stating that Brahmā directs the process and that a sage’s tapas (Atri’s “Anuttama” austerity) functions as a causal force for manifestation—rather than describing pralaya directly.
By presenting tapas as disciplined, goal-oriented effort undertaken under rightful guidance, the verse indirectly supports the dharmic ideal that rulers and householders should practice self-control and purposeful duty (niyama) to sustain social and cosmic order.
No explicit Vāstu or temple rule appears in this verse; its ritual takeaway is the primacy of tapas as a sanctioned, creation-supporting practice when performed in accordance with divine instruction.