Shloka 40
Matsya Purana — Cosmic Architecture of Sun–Moon and the ‘Houses of the Gods’
तानि देवगृहाणि स्युः स्थानाख्यानि भवन्ति हि सौरं सूर्यो ऽविशत्स्थानं सौम्यं सोमस्तथैव च //
tāni devagṛhāṇi syuḥ sthānākhyāni bhavanti hi sauraṃ sūryo 'viśatsthānaṃ saumyaṃ somastathaiva ca //
Those are to be regarded as temples of the gods, for they become places known by the names of their divine stations: the Sun entered the Saura station, and likewise the Moon entered the Saumya station.
FAQs
This verse does not describe pralaya; it focuses on Vastuvidya—how sacred structures become recognized as deity-stations (sthānas) based on the presiding deity, exemplified by Surya and Soma.
It supports the duty of patronage and correct religious practice: a king or householder commissioning a shrine should name and dedicate it according to the deity properly, ensuring the temple’s identity (sthāna-ākhyā) aligns with its presiding divinity.
It gives a classification principle in temple-building: devagrihas are identified and ritually validated as specific deity-stations—e.g., Saura for Surya and Saumya for Soma—guiding dedication, naming, and worship protocol.