Matsya Purana — The Strategy to Defeat Tāraka: Pārvatī’s Birth, Shloka 190

Devanagari script

यथा प्रोक्तं तदा पादौ स्वच्छायाव्यभिचारिणौ अस्याः शृणु ममात्रापि वाग्युक्तिं शैलसत्तम //

Transliteration

yathā proktaṃ tadā pādau svacchāyāvyabhicāriṇau asyāḥ śṛṇu mamātrāpi vāgyuktiṃ śailasattama //

Translation

كما قيل في الشرع، ينبغي أن تُصاغ القدمان وفق حدِّهما الصحيح وخطِّهما الخاص بلا انحراف. والآن اسمع مني أيضًا البيان المعلَّل لهذا، يا خيرَ الجبال (يا أستاذَ النحّاتين).

Word by Word

• yathā: as

• proktam: has been stated/prescribed

• tadā: then/thereupon

• pādau: the two feet

• svacchāyā: their own shadow/outline (proper contour)

• avyabhicāriṇau: not deviating, consistent, true-to-form

• asyāḥ: of this (rule/measure)

• śṛṇu: hear

• mama: from me

• atra api: here also/now also

• vāk-yuktim: reasoned statement, logical justification

• śaila-sattama: O best of mountains (epithet for a master of stone—excellent sculptor)

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching iconographic rules to a sculptor/stone-expert addressed as 'śailasattama')

Entities Mentioned

• Lord Matsya
• Pratima (icon)
• Pāda (feet)

Tags

• Vastuvidya
• Pratima Lakshana
• Iconography
• Temple Sculpture
• Measurements

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it belongs to the technical iconography section, emphasizing precise, non-deviating form in sculpting the feet of an image.

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

Indirectly, it supports dharma through correct ritual culture: patrons (kings/householders) are expected to commission images and temples made according to śāstra, ensuring worship is performed with properly formed icons.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It stresses pratima-lakṣaṇa accuracy: the feet must match their correct outline (svacchāyā) without distortion, a key requirement for śilpa and consecration-ready images in temple practice.