Shloka 39

Matsya Purana — Dhruva as Cosmic Pivot: Motions of Sun–Moon–Planets

Devanagari script

शतयोजनसाहस्रो विस्तारायाम उच्यते द्विगुणा च रथोपस्थाद् ईषादण्डः प्रमाणतः //

Transliteration

śatayojanasāhasro vistārāyāma ucyate dviguṇā ca rathopasthād īṣādaṇḍaḥ pramāṇataḥ //

Translation

The breadth and length are stated to be a thousand (units) of a hundred yojanas; and, by the prescribed standard, the pole-shaft (īṣā-daṇḍa) is twice the measure of the chariot-platform (rathopastha).

Word by Word

• śata: hundred

• yojana: yojana (a long-distance measure)

• sāhasraḥ: thousand-fold / a thousand

• vistāra: breadth / width

• āyāma: length

• ucyate: is said / is prescribed

• dviguṇā: double / twice

• ca: and

• ratha: chariot

• upasthāt (rathopasthāt): from/relative to the chariot-seat/platform

• īṣā: pole/drawbar (chariot-shaft)

• daṇḍaḥ: staff/rod/shaft

• pramāṇataḥ: according to measure/standard proportion.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, Vastu/technical discourse context)

Entities Mentioned

• Matsya
• Vaivasvata Manu
• Ratha (chariot)
• Īṣā (chariot pole)

Tags

• Vastuvidya
• Measurements
• Ratha
• Proportions
• Shilpa

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it belongs to a technical instructional passage on standardized proportions (pramāṇa) used in construction/engineering descriptions.

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

It supports the king’s and householders’ duty to uphold orderly standards in public works and conveyances—using correct pramāṇa ensures safety, functionality, and adherence to dharmic craftsmanship.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It gives a proportional rule: the chariot pole/shaft (īṣā-daṇḍa) should be twice the measure of the chariot-platform (rathopastha), reflecting Vastu–Śilpa emphasis on precise, repeatable ratios.