Shloka 124

Matsya Purana — Navagraha Sacrifice for Planetary Pacification and Prosperity

Devanagari script

वितस्तिमात्रा योनिः स्यात् षट्सप्ताङ्गुलविस्तृता कूर्मपृष्ठोन्नता मध्ये पार्श्वयोश्चाङ्गुलोच्छ्रिता //

Transliteration

vitastimātrā yoniḥ syāt ṣaṭsaptāṅgulavistṛtā kūrmapṛṣṭhonnatā madhye pārśvayoścāṅgulocchritā //

Translation

The yoni (the base-channel or pedestal feature) should measure one vitasti (a span) in length, and be six or seven aṅgulas in width. It should be raised in the middle like the back of a tortoise, and at the sides it should rise by one aṅgula.

Word by Word

• vitasti-mātrā: of span-measure (one vitasti)

• yoniḥ: the yoni-base/channel (architectural/ritual feature)

• syāt: should be

• ṣaṭ-sapta-aṅgula-vistṛtā: spread/width of six or seven aṅgulas

• kūrma-pṛṣṭha-unnatā: elevated like a tortoise’s back (convex)

• madhye: in the middle

• pārśvayoḥ: on the two sides

• ca: and

• aṅgula-ucchritā: raised by one aṅgula (in height).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, in the Vāstu/ritual-architecture discourse)

Entities Mentioned

• Yoni
• Vitasti
• Aṅgula
• Kūrma (tortoise-form as a simile)

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Temple Architecture
• Pratishtha
• Measurements
• Iconography-Adjunct

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it is a technical Vāstu/ritual specification describing precise measurements and curvature for the yoni component used in sacred construction.

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

It supports dharmic duties by prescribing correct standards for building and maintaining sacred spaces; a king (as patron) or householder (as sponsor) gains religious merit by ensuring construction follows authoritative Puranic measurements.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It sets the yoni’s canonical dimensions (1 vitasti long; 6–7 aṅgulas wide) and its convex ‘tortoise-back’ rise, indicating functional drainage/flow and auspicious, text-approved form in Puranic temple architecture.