Shloka 2

Matsya Purana — Skanda’s Consecration

Devanagari script

कृत्तिकामेलनादेव शाखाभिः सविशेषतः शाखाभिधाः समाख्याताः षट्सु वक्त्रेषु विस्तृताः //

Transliteration

kṛttikāmelanādeva śākhābhiḥ saviśeṣataḥ śākhābhidhāḥ samākhyātāḥ ṣaṭsu vaktreṣu vistṛtāḥ //

Translation

From the gathering of the Kṛttikās (the Pleiades) itself, these distinct ‘branches’ (śākhās) are specifically designated by their names, and they are set forth in detail with reference to the six faces.

Word by Word

• kṛttikā-melanāt: from the assembly/gathering of the Kṛttikās (Pleiades)

• eva: indeed/itself

• śākhābhiḥ: by/with the branches (śākhās)

• sa-viśeṣataḥ: distinctly, with particularity

• śākhā-abhidhāḥ: the appellations/names of the branches

• samākhyātāḥ: are declared/are enumerated

• ṣaṭsu: in/with the six

• vaktreṣu: faces/mouths (vaktra)

• vistṛtāḥ: expanded/explained in detail

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu (iconographic/ritual exposition context)

Entities Mentioned

• Kṛttikās (Pleiades)
• Ṣaṇmukha (the six-faced deity, commonly Skanda/Kartikeya by implication)

Tags

• Iconography
• Pratima Lakshana
• Kartikeya
• Ritual Classification
• Temple Arts

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it belongs to an iconographic/ritual classification context, explaining how named ‘branches’ are detailed in relation to a six-faced form.

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

Indirectly, it supports dharmic duties by prescribing correct traditional classifications used in worship and consecration; kings and householders uphold dharma by sponsoring and performing rites with accurate iconographic knowledge.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It signals a technical mapping of named śākhās (tradition-branches or classifications) onto the ‘six faces’ motif—useful for correct deity representation, ritual manuals, and temple image-making (pratimā-lakṣaṇa).