Shloka 64

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

Devanagari script

भार्गवात्पादहीनश्च विज्ञेयो वै बृहस्पतिः बृहस्पतेः पादहीनौ केतुवक्रावुभौ स्मृतौ //

Transliteration

bhārgavātpādahīnaśca vijñeyo vai bṛhaspatiḥ bṛhaspateḥ pādahīnau ketuvakrāvubhau smṛtau //

Translation

In comparison with Bhārgava (Venus), Bṛhaspati (Jupiter) is to be understood as “lacking a quarter.” And relative to Bṛhaspati, both Ketu and Vakra are likewise remembered as “lacking a quarter.”

Word by Word

• bhārgavāt: than Bhārgava (Venus/Śukra)

• pāda-hīnaḥ: deficient by a pāda (a quarter/part)

• ca: and

• vijñeyaḥ: is to be understood/recognized

• vai: indeed

• bṛhaspatiḥ: Bṛhaspati (Jupiter)

• bṛhaspateḥ: than/with respect to Bṛhaspati

• pāda-hīnau: (two) deficient by a pāda

• ketu-vakrāu: Ketu and Vakra

• ubhau: both

• smṛtau: are remembered/are stated in tradition

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, within the Matsya Purana’s didactic narration)

Entities Mentioned

• Bhārgava (Śukra/Venus)
• Bṛhaspati (Jupiter)
• Ketu
• Vakra

Tags

• Jyotisha
• Grahas
• Omens
• Matsya Purana
• Planetary hierarchy

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it belongs to an astrological/omen context, ranking or measuring grahas by a ‘pāda’ (quarter) deficiency relative to one another.

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

In Purāṇic statecraft and household dharma, such graha-lakṣaṇa teachings support choosing auspicious times and interpreting celestial signs for decisions like campaigns, consecrations, donations, or major rites.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Indirectly, it supports ritual timing: planetary assessments were used to select muhūrtas for temple rites, consecrations, and other ceremonies—though no specific Vāstu rule is stated in this verse.