Shloka 164

Matsya Purana — Yadu Lineage

Devanagari script

अव्यक्ताय च महते भूतादेरिन्द्रियाय च आत्मज्ञाय विशेषाय तुभ्यं सर्वात्मने नमः //

Transliteration

avyaktāya ca mahate bhūtāderindriyāya ca ātmajñāya viśeṣāya tubhyaṃ sarvātmane namaḥ //

Translation

Salutations to You—the Unmanifest (Avyakta), the Great Principle (Mahat), the source of the elements and the Lord of the senses; to You who are Self-knowing, the differentiating principle (Viśeṣa), and the Self of all.

Word by Word

• avyaktāya: to the Unmanifest (Prakṛti/Brahman beyond manifestation)

• ca: and

• mahate: to Mahat (the Great cosmic principle, first evolute)

• bhūta-ādeḥ: to the source/origin of the elements (bhūtas)

• indriyāya: to the presiding principle of the senses / the one whose domain is the senses

• ca: and

• ātma-jñāya: to the Self-knowing / knower of the Self

• viśeṣāya: to Viśeṣa (the principle of particularization/distinction)

• tubhyam: to You

• sarva-ātmane: to the Self of all / the indwelling Self in all beings

• namaḥ: homage, salutation.

Speaker

• Vaivasvata Manu (as a hymn of praise addressed to Lord Matsya/Vishnu)

Entities Mentioned

• Lord Matsya
• Vishnu
• Avyakta
• Mahat
• Bhutas (elements)
• Indriyas (senses)

Tags

• Pralaya
• Cosmology
• Sankhya
• Tattva
• Stuti

FAQs

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

It frames the Supreme as the basis of both manifestation and re-absorption: the Unmanifest (avyakta) and Mahat (the first cosmic principle) indicate the metaphysical ground from which elements and senses arise and into which they can dissolve at Pralaya.

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

By identifying the Lord as the indwelling Self of all (sarvātmā), it supports an ethic of restraint and righteous rule: a king or householder should govern the senses, act without cruelty, and uphold dharma seeing all beings as pervaded by the same inner Self.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Direct Vāstu rules are not stated; ritually, the verse functions as a tattva-stuti used to sanctify worship—invoking the deity as the cosmic source (avyakta–mahat–bhūta–indriya), a framing often used before consecration, pūjā, or recitation in temple contexts.