Shloka 11

Matsya Purana — The Rohiṇī–Candraśayana Vow

Devanagari script

नासा च नाथाय वनौषधीनाम् आनन्दभूताय पुनर्भ्रुवौ च नेत्रद्वयं पद्मनिभं तथेन्दोर् इन्दीवरश्यामकराय शौरेः //

Transliteration

nāsā ca nāthāya vanauṣadhīnām ānandabhūtāya punarbhruvau ca netradvayaṃ padmanibhaṃ tathendor indīvaraśyāmakarāya śaureḥ //

Translation

For Śauri (Viṣṇu), whose hands are dark like the blue lotus (indīvara), one should fashion the nose as befits the Lord of forest-herbs, the healer of all; and again the eyebrows as suited to the embodiment of bliss. The pair of eyes should be lotus-like, and also moon-like in their cool radiance.

Word by Word

• नासा (nāsā): nose

• च (ca): and

• नाथाय (nāthāya): for the Lord / as befits the Lord

• वनौषधीनाम् (vanauṣadhīnām): of forest herbs / medicinal plants

• आनन्दभूताय (ānandabhūtāya): to the one whose nature is bliss / embodiment of joy

• पुनः (punaḥ): again / further

• भ्रुवौ (bhruvau): the two eyebrows

• च (ca): and

• नेत्रद्वयम् (netradvayam): the pair of eyes

• पद्मनिभम् (padmanibham): resembling a lotus

• तथा (tathā): likewise / also

• इन्दोः (indoḥ): of the moon / moon-like

• इन्दीवरश्यामकराय (indīvara-śyāma-karāya): whose hands are dark like the blue lotus

• शौरेः (śaureḥ): of Śauri (Viṣṇu, descendant of Śūra).

Speaker

• Sūta (narrator) conveying Matsya Purana’s iconographic injunctions (Pratimā-lakṣaṇa tradition within the text)

Entities Mentioned

• Śauri (Viṣṇu)
• Indīvara (blue lotus)
• Indu (moon)
• Padma (lotus)

Tags

• Iconography
• Pratima Lakshana
• Vishnu
• Temple Art
• Murti Shastra

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it belongs to the iconography section and prescribes how Viṣṇu’s facial features (nose, brows, eyes) should be represented in sacred images.

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

Indirectly, it supports dharma by guiding proper worship: kings and householders are expected to sponsor or maintain correct temple images and rituals, and accurate iconography is treated as essential for sanctity and merit.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It is a Pratimā-śāstra instruction used by temple sculptors and ritualists: the deity’s eyes should be lotus-like and moon-cool, and the overall visage should express bliss—standards that inform consecration-worthy temple icons.