Shloka 21

Matsya Purana — Questions on Padmanabha’s Lotus-Creation in the Padma Mahakalpa; Prelude to N...

Devanagari script

अधिदैवं च यद्दैवम् अधियज्ञं सुसंज्ञितम् तद्भूतमधिभूतं च तत्परं परमर्षीणाम् //

Transliteration

adhidaivaṃ ca yaddaivam adhiyajñaṃ susaṃjñitam tadbhūtamadhibhūtaṃ ca tatparaṃ paramarṣīṇām //

Translation

That which is called the divine principle (adhidaiva), and that which is well known as the sacrificial principle (adhiyajña)—that very reality is also the elemental being (bhūta) and the material principle (adhibhūta); and it is the supreme goal of the great seers.

Word by Word

• अधिदैवम् (adhidaivam): the presiding divine principle

• च (ca): and

• यत् (yat): which/that

• दैवम् (daivam): divine (principle)

• अधियज्ञम् (adhiyajñam): the principle presiding over sacrifice/ritual

• सुसंज्ञितम् (susaṃjñitam): well-designated, well-known by that name

• तत् (tat): that

• भूतम् (bhūtam): the elemental being, the manifested existent

• अधिभूतम् (adhibhūtam): the material/physical principle (of beings)

• च (ca): and

• तत्परम् (tatparam): oriented toward that, having that as the highest

• परमर्षीणाम् (paramarṣīṇām): of the great seers.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu

Entities Mentioned

• Paramarishis (great seers)

Tags

• Adhidaiva
• Adhiyajña
• Adhibhūta
• Cosmology
• Vedantic synthesis

FAQs

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

It frames all levels of existence—divine governance (adhidaiva), ritual order (adhiyajña), and material beings (adhibhūta/bhūta)—as one underlying reality, implying that even through Pralaya the same supreme principle remains the constant ground of all manifestations.

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

By identifying ritual order (adhiyajña) and worldly existence (adhibhūta) as expressions of one truth, it encourages rulers and householders to harmonize governance, daily duties, and sacrifice—seeing dharma and ritual not as separate from life, but as aligned with the same highest aim honored by the sages.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it emphasizes adhiyajña—the presiding principle of sacrifice—suggesting that correct performance and understanding of yajña connects the practitioner to the same reality present in gods and beings; architecturally it is indirect, but supports the Vastu/temple idea that material form (adhibhūta) should be aligned with divine order (adhidaiva) through consecratory rites.