Shloka 68

Matsya Purana — Solar–Lunar Motions

Devanagari script

अधिकान्यष्टपञ्चाशद् योजनानि तु वै पुनः विष्कम्भो मण्डलस्यैव तिर्यक्स तु विधीयते //

Transliteration

adhikānyaṣṭapañcāśad yojanāni tu vai punaḥ viṣkambho maṇḍalasyaiva tiryaksa tu vidhīyate //

Translation

Moreover, the transverse diameter (viṣkambha) of the maṇḍala is again prescribed as fifty-eight yojanas.

Word by Word

• adhikāni: moreover, in addition

• aṣṭapañcāśat: fifty-eight

• yojanāni: yojanas (units of distance/measure)

• tu: indeed

• vai: certainly

• punaḥ: again/further

• viṣkambhaḥ: diameter, breadth, transverse measure

• maṇḍalasya: of the mandala (circular plan/diagram)

• eva: precisely/indeed

• tiryak: across, horizontally, transversely

• tu: and/indeed

• vidhīyate: is prescribed, is laid down (by rule)

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu

Entities Mentioned

• Matsya
• Vaivasvata Manu

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Mandala
• Measurements
• Temple Architecture
• Pratima/Vimana Planning

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it gives a technical architectural proportion, prescribing the mandala’s transverse diameter as fifty-eight yojanas.

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

By standardizing measurements for sacred/royal constructions, it supports a king’s duty to build and maintain properly proportioned temples and public works, and a householder’s duty to follow śāstric rules in consecrated building.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It specifies the viṣkambha (crosswise diameter) of the maṇḍala, a key planning dimension used to derive further proportions for a temple/vimana layout and associated ritual geometry.