Matsya Purana — Navagraha Sacrifice for Planetary Pacification and Prosperity, Shloka 98

Devanagari script

आदित्याभिमुखाः सर्वाः साधिप्रत्यधिदेवताः स्थापनीया मुनिश्रेष्ठ नोत्तरेण पराङ्मुखाः //

Transliteration

ādityābhimukhāḥ sarvāḥ sādhipratyadhidevatāḥ sthāpanīyā muniśreṣṭha nottareṇa parāṅmukhāḥ //

Translation

O Bester der Weisen: Alle Gottheiten, zusammen mit ihren begleitenden und vorsitzenden Gottheiten, sind so zu installieren, dass sie der Sonne (dem Osten) zugewandt sind; man soll sie nicht nach Norden setzen, abgewandt und mit dem Rücken dorthin.

Word by Word

• āditya-abhimukhāḥ: facing the Sun (east-facing)

• sarvāḥ: all (of them)

• sa-adhi-praty-adhidevatāḥ: along with adhidevatās (presiding deities) and pratyadhidevatās (subsidiary/attendant deities)

• sthāpanīyāḥ: should be installed/established

• muni-śreṣṭha: O best of sages

• na: not

• uttareṇa: in/through the northern direction (to the north)

• parāṅmukhāḥ: facing away, turned backwards (with backs turned).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu

Entities Mentioned

• Aditya (Sun)
• Adhidevata
• Pratyadhidevata

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Pratishtha
• Iconography
• Temple Orientation
• Ritual नियम

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it gives a Vastu/ritual rule for installing deities, emphasizing auspicious eastward (Sun-facing) orientation.

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

It guides patrons (kings/householders) sponsoring temples or shrines to follow correct installation orientation, a key duty in maintaining dharma through proper worship and public religious works.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It prescribes that images and their associated subsidiary/presiding deities be installed facing east (toward the Sun) and warns against a northward placement that results in the deity being turned away—an inauspicious orientation in consecration practice.