Shloka 10

Matsya Purana — Manvantaras

Devanagari script

चतुरशीतिकैश्चैव कलिजैरङ्गुलैः स्मृतम् आ पादतलमस्तको नवतालो भवेत्तु यः //

Transliteration

caturaśītikaiścaiva kalijairaṅgulaiḥ smṛtam ā pādatalamastako navatālo bhavettu yaḥ //

Translation

It is taught that, when measured in aṅgulas according to the Kali standard, the full height—from the soles of the feet to the crown of the head—should be nine tālas, amounting to eighty-four aṅgulas.

Word by Word

• caturaśītikaiḥ: by (a measure of) eighty-four

• ca eva: and indeed

• kalijaiḥ: made according to the kali-standard (unit)

• aṅgulaiḥ: by aṅgulas (finger-breadths)

• smṛtam: is taught/remembered as the rule

• ā: up to/from

• pāda-tala: the sole of the foot

• mastakaḥ: the head/crown

• nava-tālaḥ: nine tālas

• bhavet: should be/ought to be

• tu: indeed

• yaḥ: which/that (measurement).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (instructing Vaivasvata Manu on iconometric rules)

Entities Mentioned

• Matsya
• Manu
• aṅgula
• tāla

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Pratima Lakshana
• Iconometry
• Temple Architecture
• Measurements

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it lays down a technical standard of proportion (tāla–aṅgula) used for crafting sacred images in temple contexts.

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

By prescribing standardized measurements for sacred images, it supports the king’s and householder’s dharmic duty to sponsor correct temple construction and worship, ensuring ritual efficacy through proper iconographic proportion.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It specifies iconometric canon: the image’s total height (sole to crown) should be nine tālas, equated here with eighty-four aṅgulas—guiding sculptors and temple planners in producing ritually valid proportions.