Shloka 26

Matsya Purana — Brahmā’s Four Faces

Devanagari script

रसतन्मात्रसंभूतं प्रायो रसगुणात्मकम् भूमिस् तु गन्धतन्मात्राद् अभूत् पञ्चगुणान्विता //

Transliteration

rasatanmātrasaṃbhūtaṃ prāyo rasaguṇātmakam bhūmis tu gandhatanmātrād abhūt pañcaguṇānvitā //

Translation

由味之微细本质（rasa-tanmātra）而生者，多以“味”为其性。然大地则由香（嗅）之微细本质（gandha-tanmātra）而生，具足五种德相。

Word by Word

• rasa-tanmātra-saṃbhūtam: produced from the taste-tanmātra

• prāyaḥ: chiefly/for the most part

• rasa-guṇa-ātmakam: having taste as its defining quality

• bhūmiḥ: earth

• tu: but

• gandha-tanmātrāt: from the smell-tanmātra

• abhūt: came into being/arose

• pañca-guṇa-anvitā: possessed of five qualities

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Lord Matsya
• Vaivasvata Manu
• Tanmātras
• Mahābhūtas

Tags

• Creation
• Cosmology
• Tanmātra
• Mahābhūta
• Sāṃkhya

FAQs

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

It outlines creation (sarga) through tanmātras: elements arise from subtle sensory potentials, and Earth uniquely carries all five qualities—an essential framework used when describing how the cosmos is re-manifested after pralaya.

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

Indirectly, it grounds dharma in right knowledge: a king or householder is urged to understand the ordered structure of creation, since ritual duties (yajña, dāna, śrāddha) are performed with the elements—especially Earth, which supports all embodied life and sacrificial materials.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Earth being “endowed with five qualities” supports Vāstu and ritual logic: building and consecration rely on earth/soil as the comprehensive substrate (bearing sound, touch, form, taste, and smell), making bhūmi-parīkṣā (testing soil) and bhūmi-śuddhi (purification of ground) foundational in Matsya Purana–style practice.