Shloka 32

Matsya Purana — Inquiry into Taraka’s Slaying and the Prelude to Guha

Devanagari script

स्वयं सुष्वापानियता भाविनो ऽर्थस्य गौरवात् तत्तु रन्ध्रं समासाद्य जठरं पाकशासनः //

Transliteration

svayaṃ suṣvāpāniyatā bhāvino 'rthasya gauravāt tattu randhraṃ samāsādya jaṭharaṃ pākaśāsanaḥ //

Translation

By its own inherent tendency to flow downward—owing to the heaviness of the matter yet to form—(the substance) reaches that opening; and that aperture is called the “jaṭhara” (belly), the regulator of digestion/“cooking” (pākaśāsanaḥ).

Word by Word

• svayam: by itself, inherently

• suṣvāpāniyatā: strong tendency to flow/descend (downward-moving nature)

• bhāvinaḥ: of what is about to arise/come into being

• arthasya: of the substance/thing/material

• gauravāt: due to heaviness/weight

• tat: that

• tu: indeed

• randhram: opening, perforation, aperture

• samāsādya: having reached/arrived at

• jaṭharam: belly, interior cavity (technical term)

• pāka-śāsanaḥ: controller/regulator of cooking/digestion (technical epithet indicating a functional zone).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (instructing Vaivasvata Manu in a technical Vastu/Pratima context)

Entities Mentioned

• Matsya
• Manu

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Temple Architecture
• Pratima Lakshana
• Technical Terminology
• Ritual Design

FAQs

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

This verse is not about cosmic pralaya; it uses a physical principle (heaviness causing downward movement toward an opening) to define a functional cavity/opening, reflecting the Matsya Purana’s technical, design-oriented explanations rather than dissolution theology.

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

Indirectly, it supports dharmic responsibility through correct construction and maintenance of sacred/ritual spaces: a king or householder who commissions a temple or image should follow precise functional specifications (openings, cavities, internal ‘belly’ zones) so worship and consecration are performed properly.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It defines a specific aperture (randhra) and identifies it functionally as a ‘jaṭhara’—a belly-like cavity—described as a regulator of ‘pāka’ (cooking/digestion), i.e., a technical designation for an internal functional zone in icon/structure anatomy used in Vastu/Pratima prescriptions.