Shloka 9

Matsya Purana — Iconographic Standards for the Navagrahas

Devanagari script

सर्वे किरीटिनः कार्या ग्रहा लोकहितावहाः स्वाङ्गुलेनोच्छ्रिताः सर्वे शतमष्टोत्तरं सदा //

Transliteration

sarve kirīṭinaḥ kāryā grahā lokahitāvahāḥ svāṅgulenocchritāḥ sarve śatamaṣṭottaraṃ sadā //

Translation

All the planetary deities (Grahas) should be fashioned wearing crowns, as benefactors of the world. Their images should always be made to a height of one hundred and eight (measures), reckoned by one’s own finger-breadths.

Word by Word

• सर्वे: all

• किरीटिनः: wearing crowns, crowned

• कार्या: are to be made, should be fashioned

• ग्रहाः: the Grahas (planetary deities)

• लोकहितावहाः: bringing welfare to the world, world-benefiting

• स्व-अङ्गुलेन: by one’s own finger (as a unit of measure), by finger-breadths

• उच्छ्रिताः: raised, made in height

• सर्वे: all (of them)

• शतम्: one hundred

• अष्टोत्तरम्: plus eight, exceeding by eight (i.e., 108)

• सदा: always.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Grahas (planetary deities)

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Pratima Lakshana
• Iconography
• Grahas
• Temple Architecture

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it gives iconographic standards—how to craft Graha images as auspicious, world-benefiting forms.

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

By commissioning or installing properly measured, crowned Graha images, a king or householder supports orderly worship and public welfare—aligning ritual practice with śāstric standards for prosperity and protection.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It specifies pratima-lakṣaṇa: Graha idols should be crowned and made to a standard height of 108 angulas (finger-breadths), a key guideline for temple iconography and consecration readiness.