Matsya Purana — Brahmā’s Four Faces, Shloka 13

Devanagari script

*मनुर् उवाच बुद्धेर् मोहः समभवद् इति यत् परिकीर्तितम् अहंकारः स्मृतः क्रोधो बुद्धिर् नाम किम् उच्यते //

Transliteration

*manur uvāca buddher mohaḥ samabhavad iti yat parikīrtitam ahaṃkāraḥ smṛtaḥ krodho buddhir nāma kim ucyate //

Translation

摩奴说道：“既已宣说：迷妄由觉知（buddhi）而生；又说由此生我执（ahaṃkāra）与嗔怒（krodha）。那么，所谓‘buddhi’究竟指什么？”

Word by Word

• manuḥ uvāca: Manu said

• buddheḥ: from buddhi (intellect/discriminative faculty)

• mohaḥ: delusion, bewilderment

• samabhavat: arose, came into being

• iti: thus

• yat: which

• parikīrtitam: declared, expounded

• ahaṃkāraḥ: ego-sense, I-maker

• smṛtaḥ: is said/remembered as (so described)

• krodhaḥ: anger, wrath

• buddhiḥ: buddhi, intellect, discernment

• nāma: by name/termed as

• kim: what?

• ucyate: is called/defined.

Speaker

• Vaivasvata Manu

Entities Mentioned

• Vaivasvata Manu
• Buddhi
• Moha
• Ahaṃkāra
• Krodha

Tags

• Sarga
• Samkhya
• Antahkarana
• Dharma
• Pralaya

FAQs

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

This verse frames a creation-of-psychological-functions sequence: from buddhi arises moha (delusion), and from that ego-sense and anger—showing how manifested experience proceeds through inner faculties, a theme often used to explain bondage across cycles of creation and dissolution.

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

By tracing anger and ego back to delusion affecting buddhi, the verse implies that righteous rule and household life depend on clear discernment (buddhi). A king or householder must guard the intellect from moha to prevent ahaṃkāra and krodha from corrupting judgment, punishment, and daily conduct.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or ritual procedure is stated; the takeaway is foundational: ritual and temple-related duties in the Matsya Purāṇa presume disciplined buddhi, since delusion-driven ego and anger obstruct correct observance and decision-making.