Shloka 65

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

Devanagari script

विस्तारमण्डलाभ्यां तु पादहीनस्तयोर्बुधः तारानक्षत्ररूपाणि वपुष्मन्तीह यानि वै //

Transliteration

vistāramaṇḍalābhyāṃ tu pādahīnastayorbudhaḥ tārānakṣatrarūpāṇi vapuṣmantīha yāni vai //

Translation

But Budha (Mercury), within those circular diagrams of measure and extent, is to be fashioned “without feet”; for the forms of the stars and constellations described here are embodied, iconic forms.

Word by Word

• विस्तार (vistāra): breadth, extent

• मण्डलाभ्याम् (maṇḍalābhyām): by/within the two mandalas (circular diagrams)

• तु (tu): indeed, but

• पादहीनः (pāda-hīnaḥ): without feet

• तयोः (tayoḥ): of those (two)

• बुधः (budhaḥ): Budha, the planet Mercury

• तारा (tārā): stars

• नक्षत्र (nakṣatra): constellations/lunar mansions

• रूपाणि (rūpāṇi): forms, iconographic shapes

• वपुष्मन्ति (vapuṣmanti): having bodies, embodied

• इह (iha): here, in this teaching

• यानि (yāni): which

• वै (vai): indeed.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Budha (Mercury)
• Tārā (stars)
• Nakṣatras (constellations)

Tags

• Iconography
• Pratima Lakshana
• Vastu Shastra
• Graha
• Nakshatra

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it focuses on iconographic specification—how Budha (Mercury) and star/nakshatra forms are to be represented in mandala-based design.

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

Indirectly, it supports dharmic patronage: kings and householders who commission temples and images should follow śāstric standards (here, correct celestial iconography) to ensure ritual propriety and auspiciousness.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It gives a pratima-lakshana rule tied to mandala measurements: Budha’s form is prescribed as ‘footless’ within the iconographic/mandala scheme, guiding sculptors and temple artists in compliant depiction.