Shloka 17

Matsya Purana — The Tale of Brahmadatta: Past-life Memory

Devanagari script

सर्वसत्त्वानुकम्पी च सर्वसत्त्वबलाधिकः सर्वसत्त्वरुतज्ञश्च सर्वसत्त्वेश्वरेश्वरः //

Transliteration

sarvasattvānukampī ca sarvasattvabalādhikaḥ sarvasattvarutajñaśca sarvasattveśvareśvaraḥ //

Translation

He is compassionate toward all beings; He surpasses all beings in strength; He understands the cries and voices of every creature; and He is the supreme Lord even over the rulers of all beings.

Word by Word

• sarva-sattva: all living beings

• anukampī: compassionate, merciful

• ca: and

• sarva-sattva-bala-adhikaḥ: exceeding all beings in strength (bala)

• sarva-sattva: of all beings

• ruta: cry/utterance/voice

• jñaḥ: knower, one who understands

• sarva-sattva-īśvara: lord of all beings

• īśvara: lord

• īśvaraḥ: the supreme Lord (Lord over lords)

Speaker

• Vaivasvata Manu (praising the Supreme Lord/Lord Matsya as Īśvara)

Entities Mentioned

• Supreme Lord (Īśvara)
• All beings (sarva-sattva)

Tags

• Stuti
• Vishnu
• Compassion
• Divine omniscience
• Lordship

FAQs

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

Indirectly, it frames the Lord as the compassionate, all-knowing ruler of every being—qualities that justify His protection and guidance during cosmic crises like Pralaya, even though the flood is not explicitly mentioned here.

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

By presenting the ideal sovereign as compassionate and attentive to the “voices” of all beings, it implies that kings and householders should protect dependents, hear grievances, and exercise strength as responsibility rather than domination.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No specific Vastu or temple-building rule appears in this verse; its ritual value lies in being a stuti-line suitable for recitation in worship, emphasizing the deity’s compassion, power, and omniscience.