Shloka 39

Matsya Purana — Narasimha’s Victory over Hiraṇyakaśipu and the Catalogue of Apocalyptic Omens

Devanagari script

वामे तु दक्षिणे चैव स्थितौ शुक्रबृहस्पती शनैश्चरो लोहिताङ्गो ज्वलनाङ्गसमद्युतिः //

Transliteration

vāme tu dakṣiṇe caiva sthitau śukrabṛhaspatī śanaiścaro lohitāṅgo jvalanāṅgasamadyutiḥ //

Translation

On the left and on the right stand Venus and Bṛhaspati (Jupiter); and Śanaiścara (Saturn) is reddish-limbed, shining with a fiery-bodied brilliance.

Word by Word

• vāmē: on the left side

• tu: indeed

• dakṣiṇe: on the right side

• ca eva: and also

• sthitau: are positioned/stand

• śukra: Venus

• bṛhaspatī: Bṛhaspati (Jupiter)

• śanaiścaraḥ: Saturn

• lohita-aṅgaḥ: red-limbed/reddish-bodied

• jvalanāṅga-sama-dyutiḥ: possessing a radiance like a blazing/fire-bodied (being).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, within the Matsya Purana’s discourse on omens/astral indications)

Entities Mentioned

• Śukra (Venus)
• Bṛhaspati (Jupiter)
• Śanaiścara (Saturn)

Tags

• Jyotisha
• Grahas
• Omens
• Cosmic order
• Planetary iconography

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya directly; it belongs to an astral/omen context, detailing the placement and appearance of planets as part of cosmic order and interpretive signs.

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

By noting planetary placements and qualities, it supports the Purāṇic ideal that kings and householders align major actions (state decisions, rites, journeys) with auspicious timing and heed celestial indicators used in traditional counsel.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

While no building rule is stated, such graha-sthiti verses commonly inform ritual calendrics (muhūrta) used for temple consecrations, image installations, and other rites—choosing times when planetary indications are favorable.