Shloka 19

Matsya Purana — The Array of the Gods: Description of the Vaiṣṇava Host and the Lokapālas

Devanagari script

पूर्वपक्षः सहस्राक्षः पितृराजस्तु दक्षिणः वरुणः पश्चिमं पक्षम् उत्तरं नरवाहनः //

Transliteration

pūrvapakṣaḥ sahasrākṣaḥ pitṛrājastu dakṣiṇaḥ varuṇaḥ paścimaṃ pakṣam uttaraṃ naravāhanaḥ //

Translation

The eastern quarter belongs to the Thousand‑eyed one (Indra); the southern to the King of the Pitṛs (Yama); the western quarter to Varuṇa; and the northern to the one who rides upon men (Kubera).

Word by Word

• पूर्वपक्षः (pūrvapakṣaḥ): the eastern side/quarter

• सहस्राक्षः (sahasrākṣaḥ): the Thousand‑eyed one, Indra

• पितृराजः (pitṛrājaḥ): king of the ancestors (Pitṛs), Yama

• तु (tu): and/indeed

• दक्षिणः (dakṣiṇaḥ): the southern quarter

• वरुणः (varuṇaḥ): Varuṇa (lord of waters, guardian of the west)

• पश्चिमम् (paścimam): the western (quarter)

• पक्षम् (pakṣam): side/region

• उत्तरम् (uttaram): the northern (quarter)

• नरवाहनः (naravāhanaḥ): ‘he whose vehicle is men’, Kubera (guardian of the north).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, Vastu-directional teaching context)

Entities Mentioned

• Indra (Sahasrākṣa)
• Yama (Pitṛrāja)
• Varuṇa
• Kubera (Naravāhana)

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Dikpala
• Temple Architecture
• Ritual Orientation
• Matsya Purana

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it gives a Vastu-style mapping of the directional guardians (dikpālas), used for ordering sacred and domestic space.

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

It guides correct orientation—important for kings in city/temple planning and for householders in laying out dwellings and rituals in harmony with the dikpālas.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It assigns the east, south, west, and north to Indra, Yama, Varuṇa, and Kubera—key for Vastu zoning, directional altars, entrances, and deity placement in Puranic temple planning.