Matsya Purana — Iconographic Standards for the Navagrahas, Shloka 5

Devanagari script

देवदैत्यगुरू तद्वत् पीतश्वेतौ चतुर्भुजौ दण्डिनौ वरदौ कार्यौ साक्षसूत्रकमण्डलू //

Transliteration

devadaityagurū tadvat pītaśvetau caturbhujau daṇḍinau varadau kāryau sākṣasūtrakamaṇḍalū //

Translation

وكذلك ينبغي أن يُصوَّر مُعلِّما الآلهة والدايتيا بلونين: الأصفر والأبيض، بأربع أذرع، حاملين عصًا (داندا)، مُظهرين إشارة منح النِّعَم، وممسكين بالخيط المقدّس وبالكَمَنْدَلو (إناء الماء).

Word by Word

• deva: gods

• daitya: demons (Daityas)

• gurū: the teachers/preceptors

• tadvat: in the same manner/likewise

• pīta-śvetau: yellow and white (in color/complexion)

• catur-bhujau: four-armed

• daṇḍinau: staff-bearing

• varadau: boon-giving (showing varada-mudrā)

• kāryau: should be made/should be fashioned

• sa-akṣa-sūtra: with a rosary (akṣa) and sacred thread (sūtra)

• kamaṇḍalū: water-pot (ascetic’s vessel)

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, within the iconography/temple-image discourse)

Entities Mentioned

• Devaguru (Brihaspati)
• Daityaguru (Shukra)
• Devas
• Daityas

Tags

• Iconography
• Pratima Lakshana
• Vastu Shastra
• Temple sculpture
• Mudra and attributes

FAQs

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

This verse does not address Pralaya; it belongs to the Matsya Purana’s iconography section, prescribing how to sculpt the divine and demonic preceptors with specific colors, arms, and emblems.

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

It supports dharmic patronage: a king or householder commissioning temples should ensure images follow śāstric lakṣaṇas (canonical marks), since correct form and attributes are considered essential for proper worship and ritual efficacy.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It gives pratima-building specifications—color scheme, four arms, and key attributes (staff, varada-mudrā, rosary/sacred thread, kamaṇḍalu)—used by sthapatis and sculptors to create ritually valid temple icons.