Matsya Purana — Brahmā’s Four Faces, Shloka 16

Devanagari script

गुणेभ्यः क्षोभमाणेभ्यस् त्रयो देवा विजज्ञिरे एका मूर्तिस् त्रयो भागा ब्रह्मविष्णुमहेश्वराः //

Transliteration

guṇebhyaḥ kṣobhamāṇebhyas trayo devā vijajñire ekā mūrtis trayo bhāgā brahmaviṣṇumaheśvarāḥ //

Translation

ഗുണങ്ങൾ ക്ഷോഭിക്കുമ്പോൾ മൂന്ന് ദേവന്മാർ പ്രത്യക്ഷപ്പെട്ടു. സ്വരൂപം ഒന്നായിരുന്നാലും മൂന്ന് ഭാഗങ്ങളായി—ബ്രഹ്മാ, വിഷ്ണു, മഹേശ്വരൻ.

Word by Word

• guṇebhyaḥ: from the guṇas (sattva, rajas, tamas)

• kṣobhamāṇebhyaḥ: being stirred/agitated

• trayaḥ: three

• devāḥ: gods/deities

• vijajñire: were born/came forth/manifested

• ekā: one

• mūrtiḥ: form/essence

• trayaḥ: three

• bhāgāḥ: portions/aspects

• brahmā: Brahmā (creator aspect)

• viṣṇu: Viṣṇu (preserver aspect)

• maheśvaraḥ: Maheśvara/Śiva (dissolver aspect)

Speaker

• Suta (narratorial voice of the Purana; cosmogonic exposition)

Entities Mentioned

• Brahma
• Vishnu
• Maheshvara
• Gunas (Sattva-Rajas-Tamas)
• Trimurti

Tags

• Creation
• Cosmogony
• Gunas
• Trimurti
• Theology

FAQs

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

It explains creation at the level of first manifestation: when the guṇas become active (kṣobha), the supreme principle appears as three functional powers—creation (Brahmā), preservation (Viṣṇu), and dissolution (Maheśvara).

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

By presenting one reality operating through three functions, it supports a dharma-based worldview: rulers and householders should uphold order (Viṣṇu-like maintenance), initiate constructive works (Brahmā-like creation), and remove harmful disorder (Śiva-like restraint), all as harmonized duties.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

While not giving direct Vāstu rules, the verse underpins later iconography and ritual practice: temple worship often honors the Trimūrti as three aspects of one divine essence, guiding how deities may be conceptually related within a sacred complex.