Matsya Purana — Brahmā’s Four Faces, Shloka 17

Devanagari script

सविकारात् प्रधानात् तु महत् तत्त्वं प्रजायते महान् इति यतः ख्यातिर् लोकानां जायते सदा //

Transliteration

savikārāt pradhānāt tu mahat tattvaṃ prajāyate mahān iti yataḥ khyātir lokānāṃ jāyate sadā //

Translation

当普拉陀那（原初自然）发生变异时，便生起“摩诃特-真理”(Mahat-tattva，大原理、宇宙智)。它被称为“摩诃”(Mahān)，因为由此，众生之中关于伟大之恒常观念与名闻不断生起。

Word by Word

• sa-vikārāt: from (Pradhāna) in a state of modification/evolution

• pradhānāt: from Pradhāna, primordial Nature

• tu: indeed/then

• mahat-tattvam: the Mahat principle, cosmic intelligence

• prajāyate: is born/arises

• mahān iti: as “Mahān” (the Great)

• yataḥ: because/from which

• khyātiḥ: fame, manifestation, cognition/renown

• lokānām: of the worlds/of beings

• jāyate: arises/comes into being

• sadā: always/continually

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Pradhana
• Mahat-tattva

Tags

• Creation
• Sankhya
• Cosmology
• Tattvas
• Prakriti

FAQs

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

It describes the forward creation sequence: when Pradhāna begins to transform, the first evolute is Mahat-tattva (cosmic intelligence). It is a cosmogonic (creation) step rather than a direct description of Pralaya.

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

Indirectly, it grounds dharma in a cosmic order: recognizing Mahat (intelligence/discernment) as primary supports the ideal that rulers and householders should act through buddhi—clear judgment, restraint, and principled governance—rather than impulse.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or ritual rule is stated; however, later Vāstu and ritual prescriptions in the Matsya Purāṇa presuppose this cosmology, where ordered creation begins with Mahat—symbolically aligning sacred construction and rites with cosmic intelligence and order.