Shloka 66

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

Devanagari script

बुधेन समरूपाणि विस्तारान्मण्डलात्तु वै तारानक्षत्ररूपाणि हीनानि तु परस्परम् //

Transliteration

budhena samarūpāṇi vistārānmaṇḍalāttu vai tārānakṣatrarūpāṇi hīnāni tu parasparam //

Translation

From Budha (Mercury), the star- and constellation-forms are said to be similar in shape; yet in their orbital spheres (maṇḍalas) and in their extent they differ from one another, each being smaller or larger relative to the others.

Word by Word

• बुधेन (budhena): by/from Mercury (the planet Budha)

• समरूपाणि (samarūpāṇi): of similar form/appearance

• विस्तारात् (vistārāt): in extent/size/spread

• मण्डलात् (maṇḍalāt): from the sphere/orbital circle

• तु (tu): but/indeed

• वै (vai): certainly

• तारा (tārā): stars

• नक्षत्र (nakṣatra): lunar mansions/constellations

• रूपाणि (rūpāṇi): forms

• हीनानि (hīnāni): deficient/smaller/inferior (relative measure)

• परस्परम् (parasparam): mutually/relative to each other

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) speaking to Vaivasvata Manu (context: cosmological instruction)

Entities Mentioned

• Budha (Mercury)
• Tara (stars)
• Nakshatra (constellations)

Tags

• Cosmology
• Jyotisha
• Planets
• Nakshatras
• Astronomy

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it belongs to a cosmological-astronomical description, explaining how stars and nakṣatras are classified by form and differentiated by relative extent within celestial spheres.

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

Indirectly, it supports the Purāṇic ideal that rulers and householders should understand cosmic order (ṛta/dharma) through traditional sciences like Jyotiṣa, used for calendrical timing, rituals, and public observances.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or temple-rule appears here; the practical ritual takeaway is calendrical—knowledge of nakṣatras and planetary spheres underlies auspicious timing (muhūrta) and observances in Purāṇic practice.