Matsya Purana — Planetary Chariots, Shloka 21

Devanagari script

वर्षाणि दृष्ट्वा जीवेत तावदेवाधिकानि तु शिशुमाराकृतिं ज्ञात्वा प्रविभागेन सर्वशः //

Transliteration

varṣāṇi dṛṣṭvā jīveta tāvadevādhikāni tu śiśumārākṛtiṃ jñātvā pravibhāgena sarvaśaḥ //

Translation

مَن تأمّل السنينَ (المقدَّرة) عاش بقدرها—بل وأكثر—إذا أدرك، من جميع الوجوه وبالتقسيم الصحيح، ترتيبَ الفلك على هيئة «شيشومارا» (Śiśumāra).

Word by Word

• वर्षाणि (varṣāṇi): years

• दृष्ट्वा (dṛṣṭvā): having seen/observed

• जीवेत (jīveta): one should live / one lives

• तावत् एव (tāvat eva): just that much

• अधिकानि (adhikāni): additional, more

• तु (tu): indeed/but

• शिशुमार-आकृतिम् (śiśumāra-ākṛtim): the dolphin/porpoise-like form (Śiśumāra constellation-form)

• ज्ञात्वा (jñātvā): having known/understood

• प्रविभागेन (pravibhāgena): by systematic division/classification

• सर्वशः (sarvaśaḥ): in every way, entirely.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in the Matsya–Manu dialogue, teaching cosmographic/jyotiṣa knowledge)

Entities Mentioned

• Śiśumāra (celestial form/constellation schema)

Tags

• Cosmography
• Jyotisha
• Śiśumāra
• Longevity
• Nakṣatra-vibhāga

FAQs

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

It does not directly discuss Pralaya; instead, it emphasizes cosmographic/jyotiṣa knowledge—specifically the Śiśumāra-shaped mapping of the heavens—as a source of auspiciousness and extended lifespan.

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

It supports the purāṇic ideal that rulers and householders should learn calendrical and stellar divisions (nakṣatra-vibhāga) for timing rituals, governance, and life-cycle rites—knowledge believed to protect wellbeing and longevity.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it points to correct ‘division’ and understanding of celestial order for auspicious timing (muhūrta) and observances; while not a direct Vāstu rule, it underpins the astrological timing often paired with temple/rite procedures in technical purāṇic traditions.