Shloka 23

Matsya Purana — Yuga Durations

Devanagari script

महाभूतपतिः पञ्च हृत्वा भूतानि भूतकृत् जगत्संहरणार्थाय कुरुते वैशसं महत् //

Transliteration

mahābhūtapatiḥ pañca hṛtvā bhūtāni bhūtakṛt jagatsaṃharaṇārthāya kurute vaiśasaṃ mahat //

Translation

The Lord of the five great elements—the Creator of beings—withdraws the elements back into Himself; for the purpose of dissolving the world, He brings about a vast and dreadful destruction.

Word by Word

• mahābhūta-patiḥ: lord/master of the great elements

• pañca: five

• hṛtvā: having taken away/withdrawn

• bhūtāni: the beings/elements (created existents)

• bhūta-kṛt: maker/creator of beings

• jagat-saṃharaṇa-arthāya: for the purpose of reabsorption/dissolution of the universe

• kurute: he does/causes

• vaiśasam: slaughter, ruin, dreadful destruction

• mahat: great, vast.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu (context of Pralaya teaching)

Entities Mentioned

• Mahabhutapati (Lord of the five elements)
• Bhutakrit (Creator)

Tags

• Pralaya
• Panchamahabhuta
• Cosmic Dissolution
• Vishnu
• Reabsorption

FAQs

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

It describes Pralaya as a deliberate cosmic reabsorption: the Lord who created beings withdraws the five great elements, causing the world’s dissolution.

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

By emphasizing that all compounded things end in dissolution, it supports the Matsya Purana’s ethic of responsible rule and household life rooted in dharma and detachment—acting rightly without clinging to impermanent power or possessions.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vastu or temple rule is stated; indirectly, the verse underlines the Purāṇic view that all material forms (including buildings and icons) are elemental and impermanent, so rituals and constructions should be aligned with dharma rather than mere display.