Shloka 76

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

Devanagari script

ताराग्रहान्तराणि स्युर् उपर्युपर्यधिष्ठितम् ग्रहाश्च चन्द्रसूर्यौ च दिवि दिव्येन तेजसा //

Transliteration

tārāgrahāntarāṇi syur uparyuparyadhiṣṭhitam grahāśca candrasūryau ca divi divyena tejasā //

Translation

The intervals between the stars and the planets are arranged in successive layers, one above another; and the planets—together with the Moon and the Sun—abide in the heavens, shining with celestial radiance.

Word by Word

• तारा (tārā): star

• ग्रह (graha): planet/astral body

• अन्तराणि (antarāṇi): intervals/spaces

• स्युः (syuḥ): are/come to be

• उपर्युपरि (uparyupari): one above another

• अधिष्ठितम् (adhiṣṭhitam): established/positioned

• ग्रहाः (grahāḥ): the planets

• च (ca): and

• चन्द्र (candra): the Moon

• सूर्य (sūrya): the Sun

• दिवि (divi): in heaven/in the sky

• दिव्येन (divyena): divine/celestial

• तेजसा (tejasā): by splendor/radiance.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu (context: cosmological exposition)

Entities Mentioned

• Sun (Surya)
• Moon (Chandra)
• Grahas (planets)
• Tara (stars)

Tags

• Cosmology
• Astronomy
• Jyotisha
• Heavens
• Puranic Geography

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; it outlines the ordered, layered structure of the heavens, implying a regulated cosmic arrangement upheld by divine brilliance.

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

Indirectly, it supports the Purāṇic ideal that dharma aligns human order with cosmic order—kings and householders are urged to maintain harmony and regularity, mirroring the heavens’ structured arrangement.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No explicit Vāstu rule appears, but the concept of “layered, ordered placement” is often echoed in temple/altar symbolism where vertical tiers represent cosmic regions (stars, planets, sun and moon) in ritual cosmography.