Shloka 33

Matsya Purana — The Pushkara Manifestation

Devanagari script

देवी सरस्वती चैव ब्रह्मणा निर्मिताः पुरा एताः पञ्च वरिष्ठा वै सुरश्रेष्ठाय पार्थिव //

Transliteration

devī sarasvatī caiva brahmaṇā nirmitāḥ purā etāḥ pañca variṣṭhā vai suraśreṣṭhāya pārthiva //

Translation

The goddess Sarasvatī, indeed, was formerly created by Brahmā. These five are truly the foremost (divine powers), O king, for the best of the gods.

Word by Word

• devī: goddess

• sarasvatī: Sarasvatī (goddess of speech/learning)

• ca eva: and indeed

• brahmaṇā: by Brahmā

• nirmitāḥ: created, fashioned

• purā: formerly, in ancient times

• etāḥ: these (feminine)

• pañca: five

• variṣṭhāḥ: the best, foremost

• vai: indeed, certainly

• sura-śreṣṭhāya: for the best of the gods / unto the chief among the devas

• pārthiva: O king (lit. earthly ruler)

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Sarasvati
• Brahma

Tags

• Iconography
• Devi
• Sarasvati
• Creation
• Puranic theology

FAQs

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

It speaks of creation (sṛṣṭi), stating that Sarasvatī was created by Brahmā; it does not describe dissolution (pralaya) in this verse.

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

By addressing the listener as “pārthiva” (king), the verse frames royal duty as upholding dharma through support of learning, sacred speech, and proper worship—values embodied by Sarasvatī and the foremost divine powers.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

While not giving measurements, it functions as a classificatory statement used in iconography/ritual contexts: Sarasvatī and the “five foremost” powers are treated as principal deities worthy of installation and worship in properly consecrated spaces.