Shloka 56

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

Devanagari script

सुकृताम् आश्रयास्तारा रश्मयस्तु हिरण्मयाः तारणात्तारका ह्येताः शुक्लत्वाच्चैव तारकाः //

Transliteration

sukṛtām āśrayāstārā raśmayastu hiraṇmayāḥ tāraṇāttārakā hyetāḥ śuklatvāccaiva tārakāḥ //

Translation

The stars (tārā) are the abodes of the meritorious; their rays are golden. They are called “tārakā” because they carry (beings) across, and they are also called “tārakā” because of their whiteness (bright lustre).

Word by Word

sukṛtāmof those possessing merit (virtuous deeds)

āśrayāḥresting-places, abodes

tārāḥstars

raśmayaḥrays, beams

tuindeed

hiraṇmayāḥgolden, made of gold (radiant)

tāraṇātfrom the act of carrying across/saving

tārakāḥsaviours/that which ferries across

hiindeed

etāḥthese

śuklatvātdue to whiteness/brightness

ca evaand also

tārakāḥstars (by name/epithet)

Speaker

Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu (contextual attribution within the Matsya Purana’s teaching dialogue)

Entities Mentioned

Tārā (stars)Sukṛta (merit)

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; it explains a cosmological-ethical link: stars are portrayed as luminous realms connected with sukṛta (merit) and as “tārakā,” symbolically associated with saving or carrying beings across.

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

By identifying stars as the abodes of the meritorious, the verse reinforces the Matsya Purana’s karma-ethic: a king or householder should uphold dharma, charity, and righteous conduct to attain auspicious post-mortem destinations.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or temple-rule is stated; ritually, it supports the broader Purāṇic idea that merit gained through yajña, dāna, and vows leads to higher luminous realms, often invoked in funeral and merit-transfer contexts.