Shloka 11

Matsya Purana — Navagraha Sacrifice for Planetary Pacification and Prosperity

Devanagari script

मध्ये तु भास्करं विद्याल् लोहितं दक्षिणेन तु उत्तरेण गुरुं विद्याद् बुधं पूर्वोत्तरेण तु //

Transliteration

madhye tu bhāskaraṃ vidyāl lohitaṃ dakṣiṇena tu uttareṇa guruṃ vidyād budhaṃ pūrvottareṇa tu //

Translation

One should place (or recognize) the Sun in the middle; Mars on the southern side; Jupiter on the northern side; and Mercury in the north‑eastern direction.

Word by Word

• मध्ये (madhye): in the middle/center

• तु (tu): indeed/and

• भास्करम् (bhāskaram): the Sun

• विद्याल्/विद्यात् (vidyāl/vidyāt): one should know/should place/should assign

• लोहितम् (lohitam): the Red One, Mars

• दक्षिणेन (dakṣiṇena): by/on the south (southern side)

• उत्तरेण (uttareṇa): by/on the north (northern side)

• गुरुम् (gurum): Jupiter (the Guru-planet)

• बुधम् (budham): Mercury

• पूर्वोत्तरेण (pūrvottareṇa): by/on the north-east

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Bhaskara (Surya)
• Lohita (Mangala/Mars)
• Guru (Brihaspati/Jupiter)
• Budha (Mercury)

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Directional deities
• Planetary placement
• Mandala
• Ritual layout

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it is a Vastu-oriented rule assigning specific planets to the center and directions, indicating an ordered cosmic layout reflected in ritual/architectural space.

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

It supports dharmic governance and household ritual by prescribing correct spatial order for planetary (navagraha) placement, used in consecrations and protective rites to harmonize a dwelling, temple, or royal foundation with cosmic directions.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It gives a directional scheme: Sun at the center, Mars south, Jupiter north, and Mercury north-east—guidance relevant to planning a mandala, installing planetary representations, or arranging ritual focus points in temple/house layouts.