Shloka 41

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

Devanagari script

छन्दोभिर्वाजिरूपैस्तैर् यथाचक्रं समास्थितैः वारुणस्य रथस्येह लक्षणैः सदृशश्च सः //

Transliteration

chandobhirvājirūpaistair yathācakraṃ samāsthitaiḥ vāruṇasya rathasyeha lakṣaṇaiḥ sadṛśaśca saḥ //

Translation

With those horse-forms fashioned according to the Vedic metres (Chandas), arranged in due order around the wheels, this chariot is, in its defining characteristics, similar to Varuṇa’s chariot.

Word by Word

• छन्दोभिः (chandobhiḥ): by/with Vedic metres

• वाजिरूपैः (vājirūpaiḥ): having the forms of horses

• तैः (taiḥ): by those/with those

• यथा (yathā): as, according to proper rule

• चक्रम् (cakram): the wheel(s)

• समास्थितैः (samāsthitaiḥ): properly placed/arranged, well-positioned

• वारुणस्य (vāruṇasya): of Varuṇa

• रथस्य (rathasya): of the chariot

• इह (iha): here, in this context/description

• लक्षणैः (lakṣaṇaiḥ): by characteristics, iconographic marks/standards

• सदृशः (sadṛśaḥ): similar, resembling

• च (ca): and

• सः (saḥ): that one/it.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, within the Matsya Purana’s descriptive discourse on iconography/vehicles)

Entities Mentioned

• Varuṇa
• Ratha (Divine chariot)
• Chandas (Vedic metres)

Tags

• Vastuvidya
• Pratima Lakshana
• Ratha Lakshana
• Iconography
• Temple Arts

FAQs

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

This verse does not address Pralaya; it focuses on iconographic standards—how a divine chariot’s features should be arranged and symbolically modeled (here, resembling Varuṇa’s chariot).

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

Indirectly, it supports dharmic duty through patronage of correct sacred art: kings and householders sponsoring temples or images should ensure works follow śāstric lakṣaṇas (authorized standards), preserving ritual correctness and cultural continuity.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It encodes a Vastu/śilpa principle: sacred design is not decorative but rule-governed—elements (like horse-forms) are arranged “around the wheels” in prescribed order and linked to chandas (Vedic metre symbolism), yielding a chariot that matches Varuṇa’s canonical lakṣaṇas.