Shloka 8

Matsya Purana — Rite of Donating the ‘Sugar Mountain’

Devanagari script

प्राङ्मुखो वेदमूर्तिस्तु हंसः स्याद्विपुलाचले हैमी सुपार्श्वे सुरभिर् दक्षिणाभिमुखी भवेत् //

Transliteration

prāṅmukho vedamūrtistu haṃsaḥ syādvipulācale haimī supārśve surabhir dakṣiṇābhimukhī bhavet //

Translation

Facing east, the Swan—embodying the Vedas—should be installed upon the broad mountain. On its auspicious flank the golden image should be placed, and Surabhī, the wish-fulfilling cow, should be set facing south.

Word by Word

प्राङ्मुखःeast-facing

वेदमूर्तिःhaving the Vedas as its embodied form / the embodiment of Vedic knowledge

तुindeed

हंसःthe swan (haṁsa)

स्यात्should be / is to be

विपुल-अचलेon the broad mountain / on a spacious hill (platform)

हैमीgolden / made of gold

सु-पार्श्वेon the auspicious side/flank

सुरभिःSurabhī, the divine cow

दक्षिण-अभिमुखीfacing south

भवेत्should be.

Speaker

Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, Vastu/Iconography context)

Entities Mentioned

Haṁsa (Swan)Veda (as embodied knowledge)Surabhī (Divine Cow)

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; it gives Vastu/iconographic orientation rules, using cosmic symbolism (Veda-embodying Haṁsa) to align sacred installations with directions.

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

It supports dharmic duty through correct patronage and performance of temple/ritual installations—ensuring images are placed with prescribed orientation, a key responsibility of rulers and householders funding consecrations.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It specifies precise orientation and placement: the Haṁsa should face east on an elevated/broad platform, a golden element is placed on an auspicious side, and Surabhī is positioned facing south—typical of Matsya Purana Vastu and pratimā-lakṣaṇa directives.