Matsya Purana — Brahmā’s Four Faces, Shloka 45

Devanagari script

स्वायंभुवो इति ख्यातः स विराड् इति नः श्रुतम् तद्रूपगुणसामान्याद् अधिपुरुष उच्यते //

Transliteration

svāyaṃbhuvo iti khyātaḥ sa virāḍ iti naḥ śrutam tadrūpaguṇasāmānyād adhipuruṣa ucyate //

Translation

他以“自生者”斯瓦扬布瓦（Svāyaṃbhuva）而著称，我们亦闻其又名“毗罗特”维拉特（Virāṭ）。由于他的形相与德性具有普遍性，为一切众生所共有，故称他为“阿提普鲁沙”Adhipuruṣa，即至上主宰之人。

Word by Word

• svāyaṃbhuvaḥ: the self-born (self-existent) one

• iti: thus

• khyātaḥ: renowned, well-known

• saḥ: he

• virāṭ: the Cosmic Person, the all-pervading manifested being

• iti: thus

• naḥ: by us, for us

• śrutam: heard (from tradition)

• tad-rūpa: of that form

• guṇa: qualities, attributes

• sāmānyāt: due to universality/commonness

• adhi-puruṣaḥ: the supreme/over-lordly Person

• ucyate: is called, is said

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu, traditional Matsya Purana dialogue frame)

Entities Mentioned

• Svayambhuva
• Virat
• Adhipurusha

Tags

• Creation
• Cosmic Person
• Names of Brahman
• Sarga
• Puranic Cosmology

FAQs

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

It frames the creative principle as the universal Cosmic Person (Virāṭ/Svāyaṃbhuva), emphasizing a single overarching source whose form and qualities pervade creation—an idea that underlies both emanation (sarga) and re-absorption (pralaya), even though pralaya is not explicitly described here.

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

By presenting the Adhipuruṣa as universal in form and qualities, it supports the ethical Purāṇic view that rulers and householders should act with impartiality and welfare-mindedness, seeing all beings as sharing in one cosmic order rather than as separate, competing interests.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or ritual rule is stated, but the Virāṭ/Adhipuruṣa doctrine is commonly used as a theological basis for iconography and temple consecration—treating the deity’s form as a universal archetype reflected in sacred images and spatial order.