Shloka 23

Matsya Purana — Planetary Chariots

Devanagari script

हृदि नारायणः साध्या अश्विनौ पूर्वपादयोः वरुणश्चार्यमा चैव पश्चिमे तस्य सक्थिनी //

Transliteration

hṛdi nārāyaṇaḥ sādhyā aśvinau pūrvapādayoḥ varuṇaścāryamā caiva paścime tasya sakthinī //

Translation

Nārāyaṇa is to be placed in the heart; the Sādhyas, divine beings, are there as well. The Aśvins are assigned to the fore-feet, and Varuṇa together with Aryaman to the hind thighs of that form.

Word by Word

• hṛdi: in the heart

• nārāyaṇaḥ: Nārāyaṇa (Viṣṇu)

• sādhyāḥ: the Sādhyas (a class of celestial/divine beings)

• aśvinau: the two Aśvins (divine physicians)

• pūrva-pādayoḥ: in the front feet/fore-legs

• varuṇaḥ: Varuṇa (deity of cosmic order and waters)

• ca: and

• āryamā: Aryaman (Āditya associated with nobility, contracts, hospitality)

• caiva: and indeed/also

• paścime: in the rear/hind part

• tasya: of that (form/icon)

• sakthinī: the two thighs.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu on iconographic/ritual specification)

Entities Mentioned

• Nārāyaṇa
• Sādhyas
• Aśvins
• Varuṇa
• Aryaman

Tags

• Iconography
• Pratima Lakshana
• Nyasa
• Ritual
• Deity-Body Mapping

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it is an iconographic/ritual mapping that assigns specific deities to the heart and limbs of a sacred form for consecration-style visualization.

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

Indirectly, it supports dharma by prescribing correct worship: a king or householder who sponsors temple installation or daily pūjā is expected to follow precise scriptural placement (nyāsa/pratiṣṭhā) rules to ensure ritual correctness.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it gives a limb-by-limb assignment of deities (heart, fore-feet, hind thighs), a key element in pratima-lakṣaṇa and consecration practices that guide how an icon is visualized and empowered during installation.