Shloka 13

Matsya Purana — Navagraha Sacrifice for Planetary Pacification and Prosperity

Devanagari script

भास्करस्येश्वरं विद्याद् उमां च शशिनस्तथा स्कन्दमङ्गारकस्यापि बुधस्य च तथा हरिम् //

Transliteration

bhāskarasyeśvaraṃ vidyād umāṃ ca śaśinastathā skandamaṅgārakasyāpi budhasya ca tathā harim //

Translation

One should understand Īśvara (Śiva) as the presiding deity of the Sun; likewise Umā as that of the Moon; Skanda as that of Maṅgala (Mars); and similarly Hari (Viṣṇu) as that of Budha (Mercury).

Word by Word

• bhāskarasya: of Bhāskara (the Sun)

• īśvaram: Īśvara/Śiva

• vidyāt: should know/should understand

• umām: Umā (Pārvatī)

• ca: and

• śaśinaḥ: of Śaśin (the Moon)

• tathā: likewise

• skandam: Skanda (Kārttikeya)

• aṅgārakasya: of Aṅgāraka (Mars)

• api: also

• budhasya: of Budha (Mercury)

• ca: and

• tathā: likewise

• harim: Hari (Viṣṇu)

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Bhāskara (Sun)
• Īśvara (Śiva)
• Umā
• Śaśin (Moon)
• Skanda
• Aṅgāraka (Mars)
• Budha (Mercury)
• Hari (Viṣṇu)

Tags

• Graha-devata
• Iconography
• Ritual mapping
• Matsya Purana
• Pratima Lakshana

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya directly; it gives a ritual-theological mapping of planets (grahas) to their presiding deities for purposes like worship and iconographic identification.

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

By prescribing which deity is to be recognized behind particular grahas, it supports household and royal duties of maintaining auspicious rites—especially graha-related worship performed for protection, prosperity, and orderly governance.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it guides Navagraha devotion by linking each planet to a specific deity (e.g., Sun–Śiva, Moon–Umā, Mars–Skanda, Mercury–Viṣṇu), which informs mantra choice, offerings, and icon selection in temple or domestic shrines.