Shloka 46

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

Devanagari script

नीललोहितपीताभिः पताकाभिरलंकृतम् केतुवेषप्रतिच्छन्नं महाकायनिकेतनम् //

Transliteration

nīlalohitapītābhiḥ patākābhiralaṃkṛtam ketuveṣapraticchannaṃ mahākāyaniketanam //

Translation

Adorned with blue, red, and yellow banners, and covered with the fittings and dress of lofty pennants, it becomes a grand abode of vast proportions.

Word by Word

• नील (nīla): blue

• लोहित (lohita): red/crimson

• पीत (pīta): yellow

• -आभिः (-ābhiḥ): with (instrumental plural)

• पताकाभिः (patākābhiḥ): with banners/flags

• अलंकृतम् (alaṃkṛtam): ornamented/adorned

• केतु (ketu): pennant/standard

• वेष (veṣa): dress/attire/covering arrangement

• प्रतिच्छन्नम् (praticchannam): covered/veiled/overlaid

• महा (mahā): great

• काय (kāya): body/mass/structure

• निकेतनम् (niketanam): dwelling/abode/edifice (temple/structure).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, within the Vastuvidya discourse)

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Temple Architecture
• Iconography
• Pataka-Ketu
• Ritual Aesthetics

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it focuses on auspicious architectural ornamentation—banners and pennants—used to mark and beautify a large sacred structure.

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

It supports the duty of patrons (kings/householders) to sponsor and maintain properly adorned sacred buildings, where correct external emblems (flags/pennants) publicly signify sanctity, prosperity, and orderly worship.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It prescribes visible temple identifiers—colored flags (patākā) and pennants/standards (ketu)—as integral exterior features that complete the temple’s auspicious appearance and ceremonial readiness.