Shloka 18

Matsya Purana — The Episode of Madhu and Kaiṭabha: Gunas

Devanagari script

*ब्रह्मोवाच यत्नाद् योगवतो दृष्ट्या योगः पूर्वं मयार्जितः तं समाधाय गुणवत् सत्त्वं चास्मि समाश्रितः //

Transliteration

*brahmovāca yatnād yogavato dṛṣṭyā yogaḥ pūrvaṃ mayārjitaḥ taṃ samādhāya guṇavat sattvaṃ cāsmi samāśritaḥ //

Translation

Brahmā said: By diligent effort, through the vision of a disciplined yogin, I formerly attained yoga. Establishing myself in that samādhi, I have taken refuge in sattva endowed with excellence (the elevating quality).

Word by Word

• brahmā uvāca: Brahmā said

• yatnāt: with effort, diligently

• yogavataḥ: of the yogin, of one possessed of yoga

• dṛṣṭyā: by insight/vision

• yogaḥ: yoga (discipline, union)

• pūrvam: formerly

• mayā: by me

• arjitaḥ: obtained, attained

• tam: that (yoga/samādhi)

• samādhāya: having fixed/established (the mind), having entered samādhi

• guṇavat: possessing qualities/excellence

• sattvam: sattva (purity, clarity)

• ca: and

• asmi: I am

• samāśritaḥ: having resorted to, taken refuge in

Speaker

• Brahmā

Entities Mentioned

• Brahmā
• Yoga
• Samādhi
• Sattva
• Guṇas

Tags

• Yoga
• Samadhi
• Sattva
• Moksha
• Gunas

FAQs

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

Indirectly, it points to the inner means that transcends cosmic change: Brahmā emphasizes yoga and samādhi grounded in sattva, implying that liberation-knowledge is stable even when creation and dissolution occur.

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

It frames an ethical-practical ideal: sustained effort (yatna), disciplined perception, and cultivating sattva (clarity, restraint, purity) support right governance and household dharma by steadying judgment and reducing rajas/tamas-driven impulses.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or iconographic rule is stated; the ritual takeaway is internal—samādhi and sattva are presented as the core ‘inner rite’ that perfects external observances.