Shloka 9

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

Devanagari script

मूले नमो विश्वधराय पादौ गुल्फावनन्ताय च रोहिणीषु जङ्घे ऽभिपूज्ये वरदाय चैव द्वे जानुनी वाश्विकुमारऋक्षे //

Transliteration

mūle namo viśvadharāya pādau gulphāvanantāya ca rohiṇīṣu jaṅghe 'bhipūjye varadāya caiva dve jānunī vāśvikumāraṛkṣe //

Translation

At Mūla, salutations to the Upholder of the Universe (Viśvadhara): the feet are to be worshipped. In Rohiṇī, the ankles are to be adored as Ananta. The shanks are to be duly honored as Varada, and the two knees in the asterism of the Aśvinī-Kumāras.

Word by Word

• mūle: in (the nakshatra) Mūla / at the root

• namaḥ: salutations

• viśva-dharāya: to the bearer/supporter of the universe

• pādau: the two feet

• gulphau: the ankles

• anantāya: to Ananta (the Endless/Śeṣa aspect)

• ca: and

• rohiṇīṣu: in (the nakshatra) Rohiṇī

• jaṅghe: the two shanks/legs (from knee to ankle)

• abhipūjye: to be specially worshipped

• varadāya: to Varada (the boon-giver aspect)

• caiva: and indeed/also

• dve: two

• jānunī: the two knees

• vāśvikumāra-ṛkṣe: in the Aśvinī (Aśvini-kumāra) asterism/nakshatra.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (instructing Vaivasvata Manu in ritual/iconographic procedure)

Entities Mentioned

• Matsya
• Vaivasvata Manu
• Vishvadhara
• Ananta
• Varada
• Mula (Nakshatra)
• Rohini (Nakshatra)
• Ashvini (Ashvinikumara Nakshatra)

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Pratima Lakshana
• Nyasa
• Nakshatra
• Ritual Worship

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it is a ritual-iconographic instruction, mapping divine epithets and body-parts to specific nakshatras for worship/nyasa.

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

It reflects the householder/kingly duty of maintaining dharma through correct ritual performance—especially temple or image worship—by following precise liturgical mappings (limbs, deities, and nakshatras).

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it prescribes a nakshatra-linked limb-worship (nyasa-style) sequence—feet, ankles, shanks, knees—invoking Vishvadhara, Ananta, and Varada as part of consecration or formal worship aligned with iconography.