Shloka 54

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

Devanagari script

लोहितो नवरश्मिस्तु स्थानमाप्यं तु तस्य वै बृहद्द्वादशरश्मीकं हरिद्राभं तु वेधसः //

Transliteration

lohito navaraśmistu sthānamāpyaṃ tu tasya vai bṛhaddvādaśaraśmīkaṃ haridrābhaṃ tu vedhasaḥ //

Translation

The red form (Lohita) has nine rays—this indeed is its proper placement. But the Creator, Vedhas (Brahmā), is vast, possessing twelve rays, and bears the hue of turmeric (golden-yellow).

Word by Word

• lohitaḥ: red-colored (one)

• nava-raśmiḥ: having nine rays

• tu: and/indeed

• sthānam: position/placement

• āpyam: to be obtained/properly assigned (proper)

• tasya: of that (form)

• vai: indeed

• bṛhat: great/vast

• dvādaśa-raśmīkam: having twelve rays

• haridrābham: turmeric-hued, golden-yellow

• tu: and

• vedhasaḥ: of Vedhas (the Creator, i.e., Brahmā).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, within the Matsya Purana’s technical teaching sections)

Entities Mentioned

• Vedhas (Brahma)

Tags

• Matsya Purana iconography
• Rays and colors
• Pratima Lakshana
• Vastu Shastra
• Temple architecture rules

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; instead, it classifies divine forms by rays and color—an iconographic/astral taxonomy often used to express cosmic order maintained by the Creator.

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

By prescribing correct attributes (rays, hues, and placement), it supports dharmic patronage: kings and householders commissioning images or shrines should follow authoritative standards to ensure ritual correctness and auspicious results.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It specifies iconographic identifiers—number of rays and color—useful for temple image-making, mural/mandala depiction, and determining proper placement (sthāna) in a shrine or ritual layout.