Shloka 74

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

Devanagari script

शनैश्चरात्तथा चोर्ध्वं ज्ञेयं सप्तर्षिमण्डलम् सप्तर्षिभ्यो ध्रुवश्चोर्ध्वं समस्तं त्रिदिवं ध्रुवे //

Transliteration

śanaiścarāttathā cordhvaṃ jñeyaṃ saptarṣimaṇḍalam saptarṣibhyo dhruvaścordhvaṃ samastaṃ tridivaṃ dhruve //

Translation

Above Śanaiścara (Saturn) one should understand the sphere of the Saptarṣi-maṇḍala, the circle of the Seven Sages. Above the Seven Sages is Dhruva (the Pole Star); and the entire threefold heaven is established with Dhruva as its fixed pivot.

Word by Word

• śanaiścarāt: from/above Saturn

• tathā ca: and also

• ūrdhvam: upward/above

• jñeyam: is to be known/understood

• saptarṣi-maṇḍalam: the sphere/circle of the Seven Ṛṣis (Ursa Major)

• saptarṣibhyaḥ: above the Seven Ṛṣis

• dhruvaḥ: Dhruva, the Pole Star

• ca: and

• ūrdhvam: above

• samastam: the entire/whole

• tridivam: the threefold heaven (three celestial regions)

• dhruve: in/with Dhruva (as the fixed point/pivot).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Śanaiścara (Saturn)
• Saptarṣi-maṇḍala (Seven Sages/Ursa Major)
• Dhruva (Pole Star)
• Tridiva (three heavens)

Tags

• Cosmology
• Astral geography
• Dhruva
• Saptarishis
• Planets

FAQs

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

It does not directly describe Pralaya; it presents the Purāṇic cosmographic idea that the heavens remain ordered around Dhruva as a fixed cosmic axis, implying stability and structure in the universe’s design.

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

Indirectly, it supports the Matsya Purana’s broader ethic that rulers and householders should align life with cosmic order (ṛta/dharma): just as the heavens are oriented around a fixed pivot (Dhruva), human conduct should be grounded in steadfast principles.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu rule is stated, but Dhruva as a ‘fixed pivot’ parallels ritual and temple-orientation ideals—establishing sacred spaces with stable directional awareness (especially the north and the pole-star axis) in Puranic practice.