Shloka 72

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

Devanagari script

नक्षत्रमण्डलं चापि सोमादूर्ध्वं प्रसर्पति नक्षत्रेभ्यो बुधश्चोर्ध्वं बुधाच्चोर्ध्वं तु भार्गवः //

Transliteration

nakṣatramaṇḍalaṃ cāpi somādūrdhvaṃ prasarpati nakṣatrebhyo budhaścordhvaṃ budhāccordhvaṃ tu bhārgavaḥ //

Translation

Above Soma (the Moon) extends the nakṣatra-maṇḍala, the circle of the lunar mansions. Above the nakṣatras is Budha (Mercury), and above Budha is Bhārgava (Venus).

Word by Word

• नक्षत्र-मण्डलम्: the circle/sphere of the nakṣatras (lunar mansions)

• च अपि: and also

• सोमात्: above Soma/the Moon

• ऊर्ध्वम्: upward/above

• प्रसर्पति: extends/spreads

• नक्षत्रेभ्यः: above the nakṣatras/than the nakṣatras

• बुधः: Budha (Mercury)

• च: and

• ऊर्ध्वम्: above

• बुधात्: above Budha/from Mercury

• च ऊर्ध्वम्: and above

• तु: indeed

• भार्गवः: Bhārgava (Venus, Śukra).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu

Entities Mentioned

• Soma (Moon)
• Nakshatra-mandala
• Budha (Mercury)
• Bhargava (Venus/Shukra)

Tags

• Cosmology
• Jyotisha
• Grahas
• Nakshatras
• Astral Order

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it maps cosmic structure by placing the nakṣatra-sphere above the Moon and then listing Mercury and Venus above it, reflecting ordered cosmography rather than dissolution.

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

Indirectly, it supports dharma through correct time-reckoning: kings and householders rely on lunar mansions and planetary order for calendrical decisions—festivals, rites, and auspicious timings described across Purāṇic practice.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu rule is stated, but such astral ordering underlies ritual calendrics used in temple consecrations and ceremonies—choosing nakṣatras and planetary conditions (graha-bala) for rites.