Shloka 24

Matsya Purana — Planetary Chariots

Devanagari script

शिश्ने संवत्सरो ज्ञेयो मित्रश्चापानमाश्रितः पुच्छे ऽग्निश्च महेन्द्रश्च मरीचिः कश्यपो ध्रुवः //

Transliteration

śiśne saṃvatsaro jñeyo mitraścāpānamāśritaḥ pucche 'gniśca mahendraśca marīciḥ kaśyapo dhruvaḥ //

Translation

In the generative organ is to be known Saṃvatsara, the Year. Mitra is stationed in the apāna region, the downward-moving vital current. In the tail are Agni and Mahendra; and there also are Marīci, Kaśyapa, and Dhruva.

Word by Word

• śiśne: in the śiśna (male organ)

• saṃvatsaraḥ: Saṃvatsara (the Year/time-cycle deity)

• jñeyaḥ: is to be known/understood (as placed)

• mitraḥ: Mitra (solar deity of friendship/contract)

• ca: and

• apānam: apāna (downward vital air/region of excretion)

• āśritaḥ: situated/located

• pucche: in the tail (of the Vāstu-Puruṣa)

• agniḥ: Agni (fire)

• ca: and

• mahendraḥ: Mahendra/Indra (lord of the gods)

• ca: and

• marīciḥ: Marīci (a Prajāpati/ṛṣi)

• kaśyapaḥ: Kaśyapa (a Prajāpati/ṛṣi)

• dhruvaḥ: Dhruva (the fixed/polar star principle

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Saṃvatsara
• Mitra
• Apāna
• Agni
• Mahendra (Indra)
• Marīci
• Kaśyapa
• Dhruva
• Vāstu-Puruṣa

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Vastu Purusha Mandala
• Deity placement
• Temple architecture
• Ritual planning

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; it uses cosmic/time deities (like Saṃvatsara) and Vedic powers (Agni, Indra) to encode a sacred architectural cosmology for the Vāstu-Puruṣa layout.

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

It supports dharmic living by prescribing correct, tradition-based spatial ordering in building and consecration—guidance a king applies in civic/temple works and a householder applies in home planning and ritual propriety.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It assigns specific deities and principles (Year, Apāna, Agni, Indra, ṛṣis) to particular body-regions of the Vāstu-Puruṣa, informing where functions, fires, and ritual zones should be placed in a Vastu/temple plan.