Shloka 13

Matsya Purana — The Episode of Madhu and Kaiṭabha: Gunas

Devanagari script

*ब्रह्मोवाच एक इत्युच्यते लोकैर् अविचिन्त्यः सहस्रदृक् तत्संयोगेन भवतोः कर्म नामावगच्छताम् //

Transliteration

*brahmovāca eka ityucyate lokair avicintyaḥ sahasradṛk tatsaṃyogena bhavatoḥ karma nāmāvagacchatām //

Translation

Brahmā said: He is called by people “the One”—the unthinkable, the thousand-eyed. By communion with Him, may you both come to understand action (karma) and its true designation (its real nature and name).

Word by Word

• brahmā-uvāca: Brahmā said

• ekaḥ: the One

• iti: thus

• ucyate: is called

• lokaiḥ: by people/in the world

• avicintyaḥ: inconceivable, beyond thought

• sahasra-dṛk: thousand-eyed, all-seeing

• tat-saṃyogena: by union/association/communion with Him

• bhavatoḥ: of you two / you both

• karma: action, deed, ritual act

• nāma: name, designation, defining term

• avagacchatām: may (you) understand, may (you) come to know.

Speaker

• Brahmā

Entities Mentioned

• Brahmā
• Eka (the One)
• Sahasradṛk (the Thousand-eyed/All-seeing Lord)

Tags

• Cosmology
• Metaphysics
• Karma
• The One (Eka)
• Puranic theology

FAQs

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

Indirectly, it frames the supreme principle as “the One,” inconceivable and all-seeing—an idea often used in the Matsya Purana to ground cosmic processes (including creation and dissolution) in a single transcendent reality.

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

It emphasizes right understanding of karma—action and its true nature—which supports dharma-based conduct: rulers and householders are urged to perform duties with knowledge of their proper meaning and higher orientation toward the supreme.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

While not giving Vāstu rules directly, the verse uses technical ritual language (karma as prescribed act), implying that correct rites—and by extension temple/ritual procedures—depend on understanding the proper definition and intention of the act.