Shloka 75

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

Devanagari script

द्विगुणेषु सहस्रेषु योजनानां शतेषु च ग्रहान्तरम् अथैकैकम् ऊर्ध्वं नक्षत्रमण्डलात् //

Transliteration

dviguṇeṣu sahasreṣu yojanānāṃ śateṣu ca grahāntaram athaikaikam ūrdhvaṃ nakṣatramaṇḍalāt //

Translation

Above the circle of the nakṣatras (the constellation-sphere), the interval between each planet, one after another in ascending order, is two thousand and two hundred yojanas.

Word by Word

• dviguṇeṣu: in twofold (i.e., doubled) measure

• sahasreṣu: in thousands

• yojanānām: of yojanas

• śateṣu: in hundreds

• ca: and

• graha-antaram: the interval/distance between planets

• atha: then/thereupon

• eka-ekam: each one (successively)

• ūrdhvam: above/upwards

• nakṣatra-maṇḍalāt: from the circle/sphere of the constellations

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Nakshatra-mandala
• Grahas (planets)
• Yojana (unit of distance)

Tags

• Cosmology
• Astronomy
• Yojana
• Graha
• Nakshatra

FAQs

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

It does not describe pralaya directly; it lays out a cosmological measurement system, specifying the vertical spacing of planetary spheres above the nakṣatra-mandala.

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

Indirectly, such astronomical measures support calendrical reckoning and auspicious timing (muhūrta) used by kings and householders for governance, rituals, and public ceremonies.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No explicit Vāstu rule is stated, but the verse underpins ritual astronomy—using the ordered cosmic strata that inform temple/altar symbolism and timekeeping for rites.