Matsya Purana — Brahmā’s Four Faces, Shloka 29

Devanagari script

सांख्यं संख्यात्मकत्वाच् च कपिलादिभिर् उच्यते एतत् तत्त्वात्मकं कृत्वा जगद् वेधा अजीजनत् //

Transliteration

sāṃkhyaṃ saṃkhyātmakatvāc ca kapilādibhir ucyate etat tattvātmakaṃ kṛtvā jagad vedhā ajījanat //

Translation

此法称为“数论”（Sāṅkhya），因为它以对诸“真理要素”（tattva）的枚举为体，正如迦毗罗等所宣说。造物主维陀诃（Vedhā）以此教义为诸 tattva 之本性，于是令世界得以生成。

Word by Word

• sāṃkhyam: Sāṅkhya (the enumerative philosophical system)

• saṃkhyātmakatvāt: because it consists in enumeration / is of the nature of counting (tattvas)

• ca: and

• kapila-ādibhiḥ: by Kapila and others

• ucyate: is said / is called

• etat: this (doctrine/knowledge)

• tattva-ātmakam: having the nature of the principles (tattvas) / constituted by realities

• kṛtvā: having made (it) / having established

• jagat: the world / cosmos

• vedhā: the Ordainer, the Creator (commonly Brahmā)

• ajījanat: created / generated (into existence).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu, describing cosmology and tattva-doctrine)

Entities Mentioned

• Kapila
• Vedhā (Brahmā)

Tags

• Sankhya
• Cosmology
• Creation
• Tattvas
• Philosophy

FAQs

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

This verse focuses on creation (sarga), stating that the Creator (Vedhā/Brahmā) generates the world by establishing reality as a structured set of tattvas, understood through Sāṅkhya’s enumerative method.

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

Indirectly, it grounds dharma in right knowledge: by understanding creation as ordered principles (tattvas), a king or householder is encouraged to act with discernment (viveka), restraint, and alignment with cosmic order rather than impulse.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or ritual rule is stated; however, the verse provides the metaphysical basis often used in Vāstu and ritual thought—orderly creation through principles—supporting the idea that sacred building and rites should mirror cosmic structure.