Shloka 8

Matsya Purana — Rite and Layout for Consecrating Ponds

Devanagari script

नव सप्ताथ वा पञ्च नातिरिक्ता नृपात्मज वितस्तिमात्रा योनिः स्यात् षट्सप्ताङ्गुलिविस्तृता //

Transliteration

nava saptātha vā pañca nātiriktā nṛpātmaja vitastimātrā yoniḥ syāt ṣaṭsaptāṅgulivistṛtā //

Translation

O prince, the yoni (the foundational base-measure) should be of nine, or seven, or five units, without exceeding the prescribed rule. Its standard length is one vitasti (hand-span), and its breadth is six or seven aṅgulas (finger-breadths).

Word by Word

• नव (nava): nine

• सप्त (sapta): seven

• अथ वा (atha vā): or else

• पञ्च (pañca): five

• नातिरिक्ता (nā-tiriktā): not excessive, not exceeding (the rule)

• नृपात्मज (nṛpātmaja): O son of a king, O prince

• वितस्ति-मात्रा (vitasti-mātrā): measured as one vitasti (hand-span)

• योनिः (yoniḥ): yoni, womb/base-seat/foundation measure (technical term)

• स्यात् (syāt): should be, is to be

• षट् (ṣaṭ): six

• सप्त (sapta): seven

• अङ्गुलि-विस्तृता (aṅguli-vistṛtā): having breadth in aṅgulas (finger-breadths)

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu

Entities Mentioned

• Lord Matsya
• Vaivasvata Manu

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Iconometry
• Temple Architecture
• Measurements
• Pratima Lakshana

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it gives technical proportional standards (vitasti and aṅgula) used in sacred construction or iconometric layout.

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

By addressing the prince, it frames correct building standards as part of righteous governance—supporting proper temples, public works, and ritual spaces built according to śāstra rather than personal whim.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It specifies the canonical dimensions for the yoni/base measure: length of one vitasti and width of six or seven aṅgulas, with accepted variants of five, seven, or nine units—key for correct pedestal/foundation proportions in Vastu and pratima/altar layouts.