Shloka 98

Matsya Purana — Navagraha Sacrifice for Planetary Pacification and Prosperity

Devanagari script

आदित्याभिमुखाः सर्वाः साधिप्रत्यधिदेवताः स्थापनीया मुनिश्रेष्ठ नोत्तरेण पराङ्मुखाः //

Transliteration

ādityābhimukhāḥ sarvāḥ sādhipratyadhidevatāḥ sthāpanīyā muniśreṣṭha nottareṇa parāṅmukhāḥ //

Translation

O best of sages, all deities—together with their attendant and presiding divinities—should be installed facing the Sun (east). They should not be placed toward the north while turned away, with their backs facing.

Word by Word

• āditya-abhimukhāḥ: facing the Sun (east-facing)

• sarvāḥ: all (of them)

• sa-adhi-praty-adhidevatāḥ: along with adhidevatās (presiding deities) and pratyadhidevatās (subsidiary/attendant deities)

• sthāpanīyāḥ: should be installed/established

• muni-śreṣṭha: O best of sages

• na: not

• uttareṇa: in/through the northern direction (to the north)

• parāṅmukhāḥ: facing away, turned backwards (with backs turned).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu

Entities Mentioned

• Aditya (Sun)
• Adhidevata
• Pratyadhidevata

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Pratishtha
• Iconography
• Temple Orientation
• Ritual नियम

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it gives a Vastu/ritual rule for installing deities, emphasizing auspicious eastward (Sun-facing) orientation.

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

It guides patrons (kings/householders) sponsoring temples or shrines to follow correct installation orientation, a key duty in maintaining dharma through proper worship and public religious works.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It prescribes that images and their associated subsidiary/presiding deities be installed facing east (toward the Sun) and warns against a northward placement that results in the deity being turned away—an inauspicious orientation in consecration practice.