Shloka 17

Matsya Purana — Cosmography of Jambūdvīpa: Varṣas

Devanagari script

नीलश्च वैडूर्यमयः श्वेतः पीतो हिरण्मयः मयूरबर्हवर्णश्च शातकौम्भः स शृङ्गवान् //

Transliteration

nīlaśca vaiḍūryamayaḥ śvetaḥ pīto hiraṇmayaḥ mayūrabarhavarṇaśca śātakaumbhaḥ sa śṛṅgavān //

Translation

Blue, made of vaidūrya (cat’s-eye/beryl); white; yellow, made of gold; and peacock-plume-hued—such is that śātakumbha (a superior kind of gold), and it is described as ‘horned’ (i.e., having prominent projections).

Word by Word

• nīlaḥ: blue

• ca: and

• vaiḍūrya-mayaḥ: made of vaidūrya (cat’s-eye/beryl)

• śvetaḥ: white

• pītaḥ: yellow

• hiraṇ-mayaḥ: made of gold

• mayūra-barha-varṇaḥ: having the color of a peacock’s plume

• ca: and

• śātakaumbhaḥ: śātakumbha (excellent/standard gold used ritually)

• saḥ: that/it

• śṛṅga-vān: having horns/projections, horned

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, within technical teaching on sacred/ritual specifications)

Entities Mentioned

• Vaidurya
• Hiranya (gold)
• Shatakumbha (gold)

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Iconography
• Metals and gems
• Pratima Lakshana
• Ritual materials

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it belongs to a technical descriptive passage, specifying colors and substances (gems/metals) suitable for sacred or ritual contexts.

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

It supports dharmic duties indirectly: kings and householders who sponsor images, ornaments, or temple endowments are instructed to use ritually approved materials (e.g., gold/vaidūrya) and correct iconographic descriptors.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It provides material-and-color specifications (vaidūrya, gold/śātakumbha; blue/white/yellow/peacock-hued) used in iconography and temple-ritual craftsmanship, helping ensure a consecrated object matches śāstric standards.