Matsya Purana — Iconographic Standards for the Navagrahas, Shloka 9

Devanagari script

सर्वे किरीटिनः कार्या ग्रहा लोकहितावहाः स्वाङ्गुलेनोच्छ्रिताः सर्वे शतमष्टोत्तरं सदा //

Transliteration

sarve kirīṭinaḥ kāryā grahā lokahitāvahāḥ svāṅgulenocchritāḥ sarve śatamaṣṭottaraṃ sadā //

Translation

Todos los Graha (deidades planetarias) deben ser representados con coronas, como bienhechores del mundo. Sus imágenes han de hacerse siempre con una altura de ciento ocho (medidas), calculadas según el ancho de los propios dedos.

Word by Word

• सर्वे: all

• किरीटिनः: wearing crowns, crowned

• कार्या: are to be made, should be fashioned

• ग्रहाः: the Grahas (planetary deities)

• लोकहितावहाः: bringing welfare to the world, world-benefiting

• स्व-अङ्गुलेन: by one’s own finger (as a unit of measure), by finger-breadths

• उच्छ्रिताः: raised, made in height

• सर्वे: all (of them)

• शतम्: one hundred

• अष्टोत्तरम्: plus eight, exceeding by eight (i.e., 108)

• सदा: always.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Grahas (planetary deities)

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Pratima Lakshana
• Iconography
• Grahas
• Temple Architecture

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it gives iconographic standards—how to craft Graha images as auspicious, world-benefiting forms.

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

By commissioning or installing properly measured, crowned Graha images, a king or householder supports orderly worship and public welfare—aligning ritual practice with śāstric standards for prosperity and protection.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It specifies pratima-lakṣaṇa: Graha idols should be crowned and made to a standard height of 108 angulas (finger-breadths), a key guideline for temple iconography and consecration readiness.