Matsya Purana — Measures of Time: Caturyuga Computation, Shloka 70

Devanagari script

केशाः स्थिता ललाटेन जिह्वा च परिमार्जनी श्यामप्रभाश्चतुर्दंष्ट्राः सुवंशाश्चोर्ध्वरेतसः //

Transliteration

keśāḥ sthitā lalāṭena jihvā ca parimārjanī śyāmaprabhāścaturdaṃṣṭrāḥ suvaṃśāścordhvaretasaḥ //

Translation

Ihr Haar liegt auf der Stirn; und die Zunge ist wie ein Reinigungswerkzeug geformt. Sie leuchten in dunklem Glanz, besitzen vier Fangzähne, sind von edler Abstammung und werden als enthaltsam beschrieben, wobei die Samenenergie nach oben gerichtet ist (ūrdhva-retas).

Word by Word

• keśāḥ: hair

• sthitāḥ: placed/arranged

• lalāṭena (lalāṭe): on the forehead

• jihvā: tongue

• ca: and

• parimārjanī: cleanser/polisher (purifying, licking-clean)

• śyāma-prabhāḥ: dark-hued in radiance/with dusky splendor

• catur-daṃṣṭrāḥ: four-fanged

• su-vaṃśāḥ: of good lineage/noble stock

• ca: and

• ūrdhva-retasaḥ: celibate/continent, with semen (retas) drawn upward (a mark of yogic restraint).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu on iconographic/characteristic marks

Entities Mentioned

• Lord Matsya
• Vaivasvata Manu

Tags

• Iconography
• Pratima Lakshana
• Temple Art
• Yogic Marks
• Vastu Shastra

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe pralaya directly; it belongs to iconographic description (lakṣaṇa), outlining how certain beings/forms should be characterized in sacred imagery.

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

Indirectly, it promotes ideals valued in dharma—nobility of conduct (suvaṃśa) and self-restraint (ūrdhvaretas). Such virtues are praised for rulers and householders as foundations for disciplined governance and ethical life.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It provides pratima-lakṣaṇa cues used by sculptors and temple planners: placement of hair/forehead detail, depiction of a cleansing tongue, dark radiance, and four fangs—features that guide consistent sacred representation within Vastu-aligned temple art programs.