Shloka 19

Matsya Purana — The Rohiṇī–Candraśayana Vow

Devanagari script

रोहिणीचन्द्रमिथुनं कारयित्वाथ काञ्चनम् चन्द्रः षडङ्गुलः कार्यो रोहिणी चतुरङ्गुला //

Transliteration

rohiṇīcandramithunaṃ kārayitvātha kāñcanam candraḥ ṣaḍaṅgulaḥ kāryo rohiṇī caturaṅgulā //

Translation

Then, having fashioned in gold the paired figure of Rohiṇī and the Moon, the Moon should be made six aṅgulas in measure, and Rohiṇī four aṅgulas.

Word by Word

• rohiṇī-candra-mithunam: the paired motif (couple/dual figure) of Rohiṇī and the Moon

• kārayitvā: having caused to be made / having fashioned

• atha: then

• kāñcanam: of gold / in gold

• candraḥ: the Moon (Candra)

• ṣaṭ-aṅgulaḥ: six aṅgulas (a finger-breadth measure)

• kāryaḥ: should be made

• rohiṇī: Rohiṇī (the nakṣatra personified)

• catur-aṅgulā: four aṅgulas

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (instructing Vaivasvata Manu on iconographic/ritual standards)

Entities Mentioned

• Candra
• Rohiṇī

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Pratima Lakshana
• Iconography
• Ritual Measurements
• Nakshatra Deities

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya; it gives precise iconographic measurements, indicating the Matsya Purana’s practical focus on correct sacred form-making (pratimā-lakṣaṇa) rather than cosmological dissolution here.

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

It supports the duty of patrons (kings/householders) to commission correctly proportioned sacred images for temples and rituals; accuracy in measurements is treated as part of dharmic religious endowment and proper worship.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It prescribes the aṅgula-based proportions for a gold icon/emblem of Candra with Rohiṇī—Moon at 6 aṅgulas and Rohiṇī at 4—useful for standardized temple iconography and ritual crafting.