Shloka 6

Matsya Purana — The Sun-Vow

Devanagari script

विलिख्य विन्यसेत्सूर्यं नमस्कारेण पूर्वतः दिवाकरं तथाग्नेये विवस्वन्तमतः परम् //

Transliteration

vilikhya vinyasetsūryaṃ namaskāreṇa pūrvataḥ divākaraṃ tathāgneye vivasvantamataḥ param //

Translation

After drawing the figure, one should install Sūrya in the east in a posture of reverent salutation; likewise, one should place Divākara in the south-east, and thereafter Vivasvān in the next position.

Word by Word

• vilikhya: having drawn/inscribed

• vinyaset: one should place/install

• sūryam: Sūrya (the Sun-deity)

• namaskāreṇa: with salutation / in the gesture of namaskāra

• pūrvataḥ: in the east / on the eastern side

• divākaram: Divākara (Sun as ‘maker of day’)

• tathā: likewise

• āgneye: in the south-east (Agni corner)

• vivasvantam: Vivasvān (the shining Sun, progenitor figure)

• ataḥ param: after that / next in order

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Sūrya
• Divākara
• Vivasvān
• Agni (directional deity implied by āgneya)

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Iconography
• Temple layout
• Directional placement
• Ritual installation

FAQs

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

This verse does not address Pralaya; it gives a Vastu/ritual prescription for drawing and installing solar forms in specific directions.

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

It supports the householder/kingly duty of commissioning correct temple or shrine layouts—placing deities according to prescribed directions to maintain ritual order (dharma) and auspiciousness.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It specifies directional installation of solar deities: Sūrya to the east in a namaskāra posture, Divākara to the south-east (āgneya), and Vivasvān next in the sequence—indicating a structured iconographic/mandala layout.