Matsya Purana — Questions on Padmanabha’s Lotus-Creation in the Padma Mahakalpa; Prelude to N..., Shloka 23

Devanagari script

प्रणवः पुरुषः शास्ता एकश्चेति विभाव्यते प्राणः पञ्चविधश्चैव ध्रुव अक्षर एव च //

Transliteration

praṇavaḥ puruṣaḥ śāstā ekaśceti vibhāvyate prāṇaḥ pañcavidhaścaiva dhruva akṣara eva ca //

Translation

പ്രണവം (ഓം) പുരുഷനായി, ശാസ്താവായി (ദിവ്യഗുരുവായി), ഏകനായി എന്നിങ്ങനെ ധ്യാനിക്കപ്പെടുന്നു. അതുതന്നെ പഞ്ചവിധ പ്രാണവും, ധ്രുവമായ അക്ഷയ അക്ഷരവും ആകുന്നു.

Word by Word

• प्रणवः (praṇavaḥ): the Pranava, Om

• पुरुषः (puruṣaḥ): the Supreme Person, cosmic Person

• शास्ता (śāstā): the ruler/teacher, divine instructor

• एकः (ekaḥ): the One, non-dual principle

• इति (iti): thus

• विभाव्यते (vibhāvyate): is contemplated/understood/considered

• प्राणः (prāṇaḥ): vital breath, life-force

• पञ्चविधः (pañcavidhaḥ): fivefold

• च (ca): and

• एव (eva): indeed

• ध्रुव (dhruva): fixed, steady, constant

• अक्षर (akṣara): imperishable (also: syllable/letter), the Immutable

• एव (eva): indeed

• च (ca): and

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu (contextual attribution for this doctrinal passage)

Entities Mentioned

• Pranava (Om)
• Purusha
• Prana
• Akshara

Tags

• Pranava
• Brahmavidya
• Yoga
• Vedanta
• Mantra

FAQs

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

By identifying Om with the imperishable (akṣara) and the steady (dhruva) reality, the verse implies a principle that remains unchanged through cycles of creation and dissolution—Om as the constant ground beyond Pralaya.

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

It frames Om as the inner teacher and the one reality, encouraging disciplined breath-awareness (prāṇa) and mantra-contemplation—practices that support self-control, clarity, and dharmic governance/household conduct in the Purana’s ethical spirit.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it elevates Pranava as a primary mantra for japa and meditation, linking Om with prāṇa-regulation; while not a Vastu rule, it supports the mantra-basis underlying consecration, recitation, and purification acts in temple/rite contexts.