Shloka 22

Matsya Purana — The Rohiṇī–Candraśayana Vow

Devanagari script

भूषणैर्द्विजदाम्पत्यम् अलंकृत्य गुणान्वितम् चन्द्रो ऽयं द्विजरूपेण सभार्य इति कल्पयेत् //

Transliteration

bhūṣaṇairdvijadāmpatyam alaṃkṛtya guṇānvitam candro 'yaṃ dvijarūpeṇa sabhārya iti kalpayet //

Translation

One should adorn the Brahmin couple with ornaments, endowed with auspicious qualities, and contemplate: “This is Chandra (the Moon), in the form of a Brahmin, together with his wife.”

Word by Word

• भूषणैः: with ornaments

• द्विज-दाम्पत्यम्: the Brahmin couple (lit. ‘twice-born married pair’)

• अलंकृत्य: having adorned/decorated

• गुण-अन्वितम्: endowed with virtues/auspicious qualities

• चन्द्रः अयम्: this is Chandra (the Moon)

• द्विज-रूपेण: in the form of a Brahmin

• स-भार्यः: together with (his) wife

• इति: thus

• कल्पयेत्: one should कल्पना/visualize, contemplate, ritually conceive

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (instructing Vaivasvata Manu in ritual/iconographic visualization, as per the chapter’s didactic flow)

Entities Mentioned

• Chandra

Tags

• Iconography
• Pratima Lakshana
• Ritual Visualization
• Vastuvidya
• Graha Devata

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya; it gives a ritual/iconographic instruction for contemplating Chandra’s form.

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

It supports the householder’s (and king’s) duty to perform orderly worship and auspicious rites—here, by correctly visualizing and honoring a graha-deity (Chandra) according to prescribed form.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it specifies dhyāna/kalpanā (visualization) for Chandra: depict him as a virtuous Brahmin figure accompanied by his wife and adorned with ornaments—guidance used in installation, worship, and iconographic planning.