Shloka 8

Matsya Purana — The Pushkara Manifestation

Devanagari script

पुत्रं च शंभवे चैकं समुत्पादितवानृषिः तस्याग्रे वाग्यतस्तस्थौ ब्रह्मा तामसमव्ययम् //

Transliteration

putraṃ ca śaṃbhave caikaṃ samutpāditavānṛṣiḥ tasyāgre vāgyatastasthau brahmā tāmasamavyayam //

Translation

The sage brought forth a single son for Śambhu (Śiva). Before him, Brahmā stood silent—restraining speech—abiding in his imperishable tāmasa (dark, inert) mode.

Word by Word

• पुत्रम् (putram): a son

• च (ca): and

• शंभवे (śaṃbhave): for Śambhu/Śiva

• चैकम् (caikam): one alone/single

• समुत्पादितवान् (samutpāditavān): produced/brought forth

• ऋषिः (ṛṣiḥ): the sage

• तस्य (tasya): of him/before him

• अग्रे (agre): in front/presence

• वाग्यतः (vāk-yataḥ): with speech restrained, silent

• तस्थौ (tasthau): stood/remained

• ब्रह्मा (brahmā): Brahmā

• तामसम् (tāmasam): pertaining to tamas, dark/inert

• अव्ययम् (avyayam): imperishable/unchanging.

Speaker

• Likely Sūta (narrator) relaying the Purāṇic account; within Matsya Purāṇa’s broader dialogue frame often presented to Manu

Entities Mentioned

• Śambhu (Śiva)
• Brahmā
• Ṛṣi (unnamed sage)

Tags

• Sarga
• Cosmic genealogy
• Tamas
• Rudra lineage
• Creation theology

FAQs

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

It points to a creation-phase motif where Brahmā operates through a tāmasa mode—symbolizing inert/dark potency—suggesting that even generative acts can arise from guṇa-conditioned states within cyclic cosmology.

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

Through the image of Brahmā as vāg-yata (speech-restrained), it implicitly praises self-control (niyama). For kings and householders, disciplined speech and restraint are ethical foundations for governance, ritual correctness, and social harmony.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or temple rule is stated, but the ritual principle of vāg-niyama (silence/restraint) is relevant to consecrations and vows, where controlled speech is treated as a source of purity and efficacy.