Shloka 56

Matsya Purana — Solar–Lunar Motions

Devanagari script

तिस्रस्तु वीथयो ह्येता उत्तरो मार्ग उच्यते पूर्वोत्तरा च फल्गुन्यौ मघा चैवार्षभी भवेत् //

Transliteration

tisrastu vīthayo hyetā uttaro mārga ucyate pūrvottarā ca phalgunyau maghā caivārṣabhī bhavet //

Translation

These are said to be the three vīthis (astral tracks/sections); the northern one is called the Uttara‑mārga (Northern Path). The north‑eastern track is associated with (Pūrva‑)Phalgunī, and Maghā is likewise to be understood as belonging to the Ārṣabhī (track/sector).

Word by Word

• tisraḥ: three

• tu: indeed/and

• vīthayaḥ: vīthis (tracks/astral avenues/sectoral paths used in planning)

• hi: for/indeed

• etāḥ: these

• uttaraḥ: northern

• mārgaḥ: path/route

• ucyate: is called/said

• pūrvottarā: north-eastern

• ca: and

• phalgunyau: the (two) Phalgunī nakṣatras (Pūrva & Uttara Phalgunī) / or ‘Phalgunī pair’

• maghā: Maghā nakṣatra

• ca eva: and indeed/also

• ārṣabhī: Ārṣabhī (a named vīthi/sector/track in this scheme)

• bhavet: becomes/is to be taken as

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Uttara Marga
• Vithi (Vīthi)
• Phalguni (Phalgunī)
• Magha (Maghā)
• Arshabhi (Ārṣabhī)

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Jyotisha
• Nakshatra
• Directions
• Temple Planning

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it belongs to a technical scheme that maps directions/paths (vīthis and mārga) to nakṣatras for auspicious orientation and planning.

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

It supports the king/householder’s duty to found towns, roads, and sacred buildings in an orderly and auspicious manner—using sanctioned directional and nakṣatra correspondences to reduce inauspiciousness and promote prosperity.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It encodes a Vāstu/Jyotiṣa rule: specific directional ‘tracks’ (vīthis) such as the Uttara Mārga and the north‑east track are linked with particular nakṣatras (Phalgunī, Maghā), guiding site-orientation, layout decisions, and timing/selection of works.