Shloka 37

Matsya Purana — Bhīma-Dvādaśī

Devanagari script

चतुर्हस्तां शुभां कुर्याद् वेदीमरिनिषूदन चतुर्हस्तप्रमाणं च विन्यसेत्तत्र तोरणम् //

Transliteration

caturhastāṃ śubhāṃ kuryād vedīmariniṣūdana caturhastapramāṇaṃ ca vinyasettatra toraṇam //

Translation

O slayer of enemies, one should construct an auspicious vedī (altar) of four hastas in measure, and there one should also set up a toraṇa (gateway-arch) measuring four hastas.

Word by Word

• चतुर्हस्ताम् (catur-hastām): four-hasta in measure

• शुभाम् (śubhām): auspicious, propitious

• कुर्यात् (kuryāt): should make/construct

• वेदीम् (vedīm): altar, raised platform for ritual/temple use

• अरिनिषूदन (ari-niṣūdana): O destroyer of foes (honorific address)

• चतुर्हस्तप्रमाणम् (catur-hasta-pramāṇam): having the measure of four hastas

• च (ca): and

• विन्यसेत् (vinyaset): should place/arrange/install

• तत्र (tatra): there, in that place

• तोरणम् (toraṇam): ceremonial gateway, arch, portal.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (instructing Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Matsya
• Manu
• Vedi
• Torana

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Temple Architecture
• Ritual Platform
• Puranic Construction Rules
• Measurements (Hasta)

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss pralaya; it focuses on precise architectural-ritual measurements for constructing an altar (vedī) and installing a gateway (toraṇa).

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

It reflects the duty to perform and patronize correct ritual and sacred construction according to śāstric measure—an expected responsibility of rulers and householders supporting temples and yajña-related structures.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It prescribes standardized sacred dimensions: a four-hasta vedī and a four-hasta toraṇa, highlighting proportion (pramāṇa) as essential for auspiciousness and proper ritual/temple layout.