Shloka 30

Matsya Purana — Cosmic Architecture of Sun–Moon and the ‘Houses of the Gods’

Devanagari script

दक्षिणे विश्वकर्मा तु रश्मिराप्याययद्बुधम् विश्वावसुश्च यः पश्चाच् छुक्रयोनिश्च स स्मृतः //

Transliteration

dakṣiṇe viśvakarmā tu raśmirāpyāyayadbudham viśvāvasuśca yaḥ paścāc chukrayoniśca sa smṛtaḥ //

Translation

In the southern quarter, the ray presided over by Viśvakarmā nourishes and strengthens Budha (Mercury). And the one that follows thereafter is remembered as Viśvāvasu; it is said to belong to the source-line (yoni) of Śukra (Venus).

Word by Word

• dakṣiṇe: in the south (southern direction)

• viśvakarmā: Viśvakarmā (divine architect)

• tu: indeed/and

• raśmiḥ: ray, solar beam, directional radiance

• āpyāyayat: nourished, increased, strengthened

• budham: Budha (Mercury)

• viśvāvasuḥ: Viśvāvasu (a Gandharva/deity name used in astral lists)

• ca: and

• yaḥ: which/that (ray)

• paścāt: afterwards, following, next

• śukra-yoniḥ: having Śukra (Venus) as its source/lineage, arising from Venus

• ca: and

• saḥ: that (ray)

• smṛtaḥ: is remembered/known as.

Speaker

• Sūta (narrator) relaying the Matsya Purāṇa’s astral/directional correspondences (within the Manu–Matsya dialogue framework)

Entities Mentioned

• Viśvakarmā
• Budha (Mercury)
• Viśvāvasu
• Śukra (Venus)
• Raśmi (ray)
• Dakṣiṇa (South)

Tags

• Jyotisha
• Directional deities
• Planetary correspondences
• Grahas
• Puranic cosmology

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it maps directional “rays” (raśmis) to deities and planets, describing how specific cosmic radiances are said to strengthen particular grahas like Budha (Mercury).

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

Indirectly, it supports dhārmic timing and orientation: kings and householders traditionally consult such direction–planet correspondences for auspicious planning (muhūrta) and for aligning actions with cosmic order (ṛta), even though no explicit royal/householder duty is stated here.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

By identifying the southern quarter with Viśvakarmā and linking rays to planetary influences, the verse can be used in Vāstu- and ritual-orientation logic (dik-nirṇaya), where directions are correlated with presiding powers and auspicious effects.