Shloka 40

Brahmā’s Creation: The Kumāras, Rudra, the Prajāpatis, and the Manifestation of Vedic Sound

Devanagari script

षोडश्युक्थौ पूर्ववक्त्रात्पुरीष्यग्निष्टुतावथ । आप्तोर्यामातिरात्रौ च वाजपेयं सगोसवम् ॥ ४० ॥

Transliteration

ṣoḍaśy-ukthau pūrva-vaktrāt purīṣy-agniṣṭutāv atha āptoryāmātirātrau ca vājapeyaṁ sagosavam

Translation

De la bouche orientale de Brahmā se manifestèrent les divers sacrifices du feu : ṣoḍaśī, uktha, purīṣi, agniṣṭoma, āptoryāma, atirātra, vājapeya et gosava.

Synonyms

• षोडशी: the Ṣoḍaśī (rite)
• षोडशी: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: षोडशी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; नाम (a sacrifice-name)

• उक्थौ: the two Uktha (chants/rites)
• उक्थौ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उक्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), द्विवचन

• पूर्व-वक्त्रात्: from the eastern mouth
• पूर्व-वक्त्रात्: Apadana (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पूर्व (प्रातिपदिक) + वक्त्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (पूर्वं वक्त्रं यस्मात्)

• पुरीष्य-अग्निष्टुतौ: Purīṣya and Agniṣṭut (rites)
• पुरीष्य-अग्निष्टुतौ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुरीष्य (प्रातिपदिक) + अग्निष्टुत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), द्विवचन; द्वन्द्वः (पुरीष्य च अग्निष्टुत् च)

• अथ: then
• अथ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अनुक्रम/समुच्चयार्थक (then/and then)

• आप्तोर्याम: Āptoryāma (rite)
• आप्तोर्याम: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आप्तोर्याम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; यज्ञविशेषनाम

• अतिरात्रौ: the two Atirātra (rites)
• अतिरात्रौ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अतिरात्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), द्विवचन (अतिरात्रौ = two Atirātra rites)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थक (and)

• वाजपेयं: Vājapeya (sacrifice)
• वाजपेयं: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाजपेय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; यज्ञविशेषनाम

• स-गोसवम्: together with the Gosava (rite)
• स-गोसवम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स (अव्यय/उपसर्गसदृश) + गोसव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (गोसवेन सह)

Characters & Entities

• Brahmā

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the origin of Vedic sacrifices (yajna)?

This verse states that multiple Soma and other Vedic sacrifices (like Ṣoḍaśī, Ukthya, Āptoryāma, Atirātra, Vājapeya, and Gosava) manifested from Brahmā—showing yajna as part of the created order meant to uphold dharma.

Why is Brahmā described as producing different yajnas from his face?

In this chapter’s creation account, Brahmā is portrayed as the secondary creator; the imagery of faces signifies directional and functional emanations—here, the structured Vedic rites meant for regulation of society and worship.

How can modern devotees apply the teaching of yajna from this shloka?

The principle is offering and alignment with dharma: even without elaborate rituals, one can live in a spirit of yajna by dedicating work, resources, and daily actions to the Supreme with gratitude and discipline.