Shloka 9

Matsya Purana — The Advent of Narasiṃha and Hiraṇyakaśipu’s Weapon-Assault

Devanagari script

ब्रह्मा देवः पशुपतिर् ललाटस्था भ्रमन्ति वै स्थावराणि च सर्वाणि जङ्गमानि तथैव च //

Transliteration

brahmā devaḥ paśupatir lalāṭasthā bhramanti vai sthāvarāṇi ca sarvāṇi jaṅgamāni tathaiva ca //

Translation

Brahmā, the divine Lord Paśupati, and the beings abiding at (his) forehead—indeed all stationary things and all moving creatures alike—begin to reel and whirl about.

Word by Word

• ब्रह्मा (brahmā): Brahmā

• देवः (devaḥ): the god, the divine lord

• पशुपतिः (paśupatiḥ): Paśupati (Lord of beings, Rudra/Śiva epithet)

• ललाटस्था (lalāṭasthā): situated in/at the forehead (lit. ‘forehead-abiding’)

• भ्रमन्ति (bhramanti): whirl, reel, move in confusion

• वै (vai): indeed, truly

• स्थावराणि (sthāvarāṇi): immovable beings/things

• च (ca): and

• सर्वाणि (sarvāṇi): all

• जङ्गमानि (jaṅgamāni): moving beings/creatures

• तथैव (tathaiva): likewise, in the same way

• च (ca): and.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (to Vaivasvata Manu), contextual narration within cosmological description

Entities Mentioned

• Brahma
• Pashupati (Rudra/Shiva)

Tags

• Cosmology
• Pralaya motifs
• Rudra
• Creation theology
• Puranic metaphysics

FAQs

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

It uses Pralaya-like imagery: when a cosmic force manifests, both the immovable (sthāvara) and movable (jaṅgama) realms lose stability and ‘reel,’ signaling universal disturbance rather than a local event.

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

Indirectly, it underscores impermanence and cosmic dependence: rulers and householders should uphold dharma and humility, recognizing that worldly order can be overturned by higher cosmic powers.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or ritual rule is stated; however, the verse’s theme of cosmic ‘stability vs. instability’ is often invoked in ritual framing to emphasize establishing steadiness (śānti) through worship of the divine lord.