Matsya Purana — Manvantaras, Shloka 66

Devanagari script

अबुद्धिपूर्वकं तद्वै चेतनार्थं प्रवर्तते तेनार्षं बुद्धिपूर्वं तु चेतनेनाप्यधिष्ठितम् //

Transliteration

abuddhipūrvakaṃ tadvai cetanārthaṃ pravartate tenārṣaṃ buddhipūrvaṃ tu cetanenāpyadhiṣṭhitam //

Translation

Yang demikian (ucapan atau perbuatan biasa) berlangsung tanpa pertimbangan terdahulu, sekadar menuju maksud kesedaran; maka ucapan Ārṣa para ṛṣi pula didahului oleh pengertian dan ditegakkan—bahkan diperintah—oleh kesedaran yang terjaga (cetanā).

Word by Word

• abuddhi-pūrvakam: without prior understanding/deliberation

• tat vai: that indeed

• cetana-artham: for the purpose of (expressing) conscious intent

• pravartate: proceeds/operates

• tena: therefore/for that reason

• ārṣam: belonging to the Ṛṣis, inspired/seer-origin

• buddhi-pūrvam: preceded by intellect/understanding

• tu: but/however

• cetanena api: even by consciousness/awakened awareness

• adhiṣṭhitam: established, presided over, governed

Speaker

• Likely Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Rishis (Ṛṣis)
• Arsha (Ārṣa) speech/tradition
• Buddhi
• Cetana

Tags

• Dharma
• Jnana
• Vedic Authority
• Rishi Tradition
• Intention

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; it clarifies epistemic authority—ordinary expressions arise without deep buddhi, whereas ṛṣi-origin (ārṣa) teaching is grounded in awakened consciousness, implying a higher reliability for cosmic and dharmic knowledge.

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

It implies that rulership and household conduct should be guided by buddhi (considered discernment) rather than impulse; decisions aligned with ārṣa guidance (seer-based dharma) are portrayed as more firmly “established” in conscious awareness.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or ritual rule is stated, but the principle supports relying on ārṣa (seer-authoritative) prescriptions when performing rites or planning sacred works, rather than acting without deliberative understanding.