Shloka 87

Matsya Purana — Navagraha Sacrifice for Planetary Pacification and Prosperity

Devanagari script

रुद्रायतनभूमौ वा चतुरस्रमुदङ्मुखम् दशहस्तमथाष्टौ वा हस्तान्कुर्याद्विधानतः //

Transliteration

rudrāyatanabhūmau vā caturasramudaṅmukham daśahastamathāṣṭau vā hastānkuryādvidhānataḥ //

Translation

On the ground chosen for a Rudra (Śiva) shrine, one should, according to rule, lay out a square plan facing north, measuring either ten cubits or else eight cubits in extent.

Word by Word

• रुद्रायतनभूमौ (rudrāyatana-bhūmau): on the site/ground of a Rudra-temple

• वा (vā): or/alternatively

• चतुरस्रम् (caturasram): square (four-sided, equal)

• उदङ्मुखम् (udaṅmukham): north-facing

• दशहस्तम् (daśa-hastam): ten cubits (hasta-units)

• अथ (atha): or else/then

• अष्टौ (āṣṭau): eight

• वा (vā): or

• हस्तान् (hastān): cubits (units of measure)

• कुर्यात् (kuryāt): one should make/construct

• विधानतः (vidhānataḥ): according to prescribed rule/ordinance.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, Vastuvidya discourse)

Entities Mentioned

• Rudra
• Rudrayatana
• Vastu Shastra

Tags

• Vastuvidya
• TempleArchitecture
• RudraTemple
• Measurements
• Orientation

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it is a Vastuvidya rule prescribing the orientation and standard measurements for a Rudra-temple plan.

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

It frames righteous patronage and correct construction: a king or householder is expected to build and endow temples according to śāstric measurements and orientation, ensuring ritual propriety and communal merit.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It specifies a square, north-facing Rudra-shrine layout with standard extents of 10 or 8 hastas, emphasizing canonical proportion (māna) and directional alignment (dik-nirṇaya) in Puranic temple architecture.