Shloka 7

Matsya Purana — Vishnu’s Names Across Yugas and the Gods’ Refuge During the Tārakāmaya War

Devanagari script

प्रधानात्मा पुरा ह्येष ब्रह्माणमसृजत्प्रभुः सो ऽसृजत्पूर्वपुरुषः पुराकल्पे प्रजापतीन् //

Transliteration

pradhānātmā purā hyeṣa brahmāṇamasṛjatprabhuḥ so 'sṛjatpūrvapuruṣaḥ purākalpe prajāpatīn //

Translation

In ancient times, the Lord—whose nature encompasses Pradhāna (primordial matter) and Ātman (conscious Self)—created Brahmā. That Primordial Person, in the former aeon, then brought forth the Prajāpatis (progenitor-lords).

Word by Word

• प्रधानात्मा (pradhānātmā): one whose essence is Pradhāna and Ātman, the Primal Lord

• पुरा (purā): formerly, in ancient times

• हि (hi): indeed

• एष (eṣa): this (Lord)

• ब्रह्माणम् (brahmāṇam): Brahmā

• असृजत् (asṛjat): created

• प्रभुः (prabhuḥ): the Lord, sovereign

• सः (saḥ): he

• असृजत् (asṛjat): created

• पूर्वपुरुषः (pūrva-puruṣaḥ): the Primordial Person

• पुराकल्पे (purā-kalpe): in a former kalpa/aeon

• प्रजापतीन् (prajāpatīn): the Prajāpatis, progenitors

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) addressing Vaivasvata Manu (cosmogonic instruction context)

Entities Mentioned

• Pradhāna
• Ātman
• Prabhu (Lord)
• Brahmā
• Pūrva-Puruṣa
• Prajāpatis
• Kalpa

Tags

• Creation
• Cosmogony
• Prajapatis
• Brahma
• Sarga

FAQs

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

It frames creation after cosmic transitions by stating that the Supreme Lord (as Pradhāna-Ātman) first produces Brahmā, and through the Primordial Person the Prajāpatis arise—indicating an ordered re-manifestation of beings across kalpas.

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

By grounding social and familial continuity in the Prajāpatis (progenitors), it supports the Purāṇic view that kingship and household life uphold dharma through lineage, procreation, and protection—mirroring the cosmic principle of sustaining creation.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or temple rule is stated; however, the verse supplies the cosmological hierarchy (Lord → Brahmā → Prajāpatis) often invoked in ritual preliminaries and consecrations to align rites with the cosmic order.