Shloka 8

Matsya Purana — The Sun-Vow

Devanagari script

शान्तमीशानभागे तु नमस्कारेण विन्यसेत् कर्णिकापूर्वपत्त्रे तु सूर्यस्य तुरगान्न्यसेत् //

Transliteration

śāntamīśānabhāge tu namaskāreṇa vinyaset karṇikāpūrvapattre tu sūryasya turagānnyaset //

Translation

In the Īśāna (north-eastern) sector, one should install Śānti with an act of reverent salutation. And on the eastern petal of the central pericarp (karṇikā), one should place the horses of Sūrya, the Sun.

Word by Word

• śāntam/śānti(m): Śānti (the deity/principle of pacification, auspicious peace)

• īśāna-bhāge: in the Īśāna portion (north-east sector)

• tu: indeed/and

• namaskāreṇa: with salutation, by performing namaskāra

• vinyaset: should place/install/arrange

• karṇikā: the central pericarp (of the lotus/mandala)

• pūrva-pattre: on the eastern petal

• sūryasya: of Sūrya (the Sun)

• turagān: horses/steeds

• nyaset: should place/assign

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, in the Vastu/Pratima context)

Entities Mentioned

• Śānti
• Īśāna (north-east direction)
• Sūrya
• Turaga (horses)
• Karṇikā (mandala pericarp)

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Mandala
• Iconography
• Temple Ritual
• Directional Deities

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it belongs to Vastu/ritual-architectural instruction, specifying auspicious directional placement within a mandala used for installation and worship.

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

It supports the king/householder’s dharma of establishing orderly worship and auspicious spaces—by following prescribed placements (nyāsa) in temple or altar layouts to ensure harmony, protection, and prosperity.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It gives a precise mandala-placement rule: install Śānti in the north-east (Īśāna) sector and place Sūrya’s horses on the eastern petal of the central lotus (karṇikā), reflecting directional auspiciousness and iconographic mapping.