Shloka 21

Matsya Purana — The Nakṣatra-Puruṣa Vrata: Worship of Viṣṇu’s Cosmic Body through the Lunar M...

Devanagari script

पूर्णे व्रते सर्वगुणान्विताय वाग्रूपशीलाय च सामगाय हैमीं विशालायतबाहुदण्डां मुक्ताफलेन्दूपलवज्रयुक्ताम् //

Transliteration

pūrṇe vrate sarvaguṇānvitāya vāgrūpaśīlāya ca sāmagāya haimīṃ viśālāyatabāhudaṇḍāṃ muktāphalendūpalavajrayuktām //

Translation

For one who is perfect in sacred observance (vrata), endowed with every virtue—refined in speech, form, and conduct, and skilled in chanting the Sāman hymns—one should fashion a golden image with broad, well-proportioned arms, adorned with pearls, moonstone, gems, and diamonds.

Word by Word

• pūrṇe: complete/perfect

• vrate: in vow/observance (vrata)

• sarva-guṇa-anvitāya: endowed with all virtues

• vāk-rūpa-śīlāya: possessing (noble) speech, form, and character

• ca: and

• sāma-gāya: to one who sings/recites the Sāman (Sāmaveda chants)

• haimīm: golden (made of gold)

• viśāla: broad

• āyata: long/well-extended

• bāhu-daṇḍām: having arms/arm-staffs (i.e., well-formed arms)

• muktā-phala: pearls

• indu-upala: moonstone

• vajra: diamond

• yuktām: furnished/adorned with

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (instructional discourse to Vaivasvata Manu on iconography/ritual standards)

Entities Mentioned

• Sāman (Sāmaveda chant)
• Vrata (sacred observance)

Tags

• Iconography
• Pratima Lakshana
• Ritual
• Ornamentation
• Murti Vidhi

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it belongs to an iconography-focused passage, prescribing materials and ornaments for a sacred image associated with virtue, disciplined observance, and Vedic chant.

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

It reflects dharmic patronage: a king or householder who supports proper worship should commission icons using prescribed pure materials and proportions, aligning religious giving and temple service with virtue (guṇa) and disciplined vows (vrata).

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it specifies icon-material standards: a golden image with well-proportioned arms and gemstone ornamentation—details used in pratima-lakṣaṇa for temple installation and consecration practices.