Matsya Purana — Manvantaras, Shloka 88

Devanagari script

भूतात्मा चेन्द्रियात्मा च तेषां तज्ज्ञानमुच्यते इत्येवमृषिजातिस्तु पञ्चधा नामविश्रुता //

Transliteration

bhūtātmā cendriyātmā ca teṣāṃ tajjñānamucyate ityevamṛṣijātistu pañcadhā nāmaviśrutā //

Translation

« Bhūtātman (le soi élémentaire) » et « Indriyātman (le soi sensoriel) » : tel est, dit-on, leur savoir distinctif. Ainsi, de cette manière, la classe des ṛṣi est renommée par son nom comme étant quintuple.

Word by Word

• bhūtātmā: the elemental self / being constituted of the (five) elements

• ca: and

• indriyātmā (cendriyātmā): the sensory self / the self identified with the sense-faculties

• ca: and

• teṣām: of them (of those sages/types previously mentioned)

• tat-jñānam: that knowledge / their defining cognition

• ucyate: is said, is taught

• iti: thus

• evam: in this manner

• ṛṣi-jātiḥ: the class/type of ṛṣis

• tu: indeed

• pañcadhā: fivefold

• nāma: by name, as a classification

• viśrutā: well-known, renowned

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, in the standard Matsya Purana dialogue frame)

Entities Mentioned

• Ṛṣis

Tags

• Rishis
• Cosmology
• Sarga
• Manvantara
• Sanskrit-Philosophy

FAQs

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

Indirectly, it frames beings (and sages) through cosmological categories—elements (bhūtas) and senses (indriyas)—which are foundational constituents that expand in creation and withdraw in dissolution.

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

It supports discernment in honoring and consulting appropriate sages: understanding that ṛṣis are classified by their defining knowledge helps a king/householder seek guidance from those grounded in elemental and sensory disciplines (i.e., practical and contemplative wisdom).

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or ritual procedure is stated; however, the elemental (bhūta) framework is a standard basis for ritual and temple thought (earth, water, fire, air, space), and the verse reinforces that such elemental knowledge is a recognized mode of sage-knowledge.