Shloka 38

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

Devanagari script

सूर्याचन्द्रमसोर्दिव्ये मण्डले भास्वरे खगे जलतेजोमये शुक्ले वृत्तकुम्भनिभे शुभे //

Transliteration

sūryācandramasordivye maṇḍale bhāsvare khage jalatejomaye śukle vṛttakumbhanibhe śubhe //

Translation

In the radiant, divine orb of the Sun and the Moon, shining in the sky, one should contemplate it as white and auspicious, formed of watery essence and fiery brilliance, and resembling a perfectly rounded water-pot.

Word by Word

• सूर्याचन्द्रमसोः: of the Sun and the Moon

• दिव्ये: divine

• मण्डले: in the orb/disc

• भास्वरे: shining, radiant

• खगे: in the sky (lit. moving in the sky)

• जलतेजोमये: consisting of water and fiery energy/splendour

• शुक्ले: white, bright

• वृत्तकुम्भनिभे: resembling a round pot

• शुभे: auspicious.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) speaking to Vaivasvata Manu (likely context of instructional description)

Entities Mentioned

• Surya (Sun)
• Chandra (Moon)

Tags

• Iconography
• Astral symbolism
• Meditation
• Auspicious marks
• Pratima Lakshana

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya directly; it presents auspicious astral imagery (Sun–Moon discs) used for sacred contemplation and iconographic visualization.

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

It supports dharmic practice through prescribed contemplation of auspicious cosmic forms—guiding a king or householder toward purity of mind and correct ritual/visual focus in worship.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it provides a canonical visual specification (bright white, pot-round, water-and-fire-like radiance) useful for designing/painting/placing solar-lunar mandalas in temple contexts and worship diagrams aligned with iconography standards.