Matsya Purana — Manvantaras, Shloka 8

Devanagari script

नवाङ्गुलप्रमाणेन निष्पन्नेन तथाष्टकम् एतत्स्वाभाविकं तेषां प्रमाणमधिकुर्वताम् //

Transliteration

navāṅgulapramāṇena niṣpannena tathāṣṭakam etatsvābhāvikaṃ teṣāṃ pramāṇamadhikurvatām //

Translation

Lorsque la mesure est établie à neuf aṅgula, et que, de même, l’ensemble de huit (unités) est fixé en conséquence—telle est la mesure naturelle (normative) pour ceux qui accroissent les proportions au-delà du standard de base.

Word by Word

• नव (nava): nine

• अङ्गुल (aṅgula): finger-breadth, a traditional unit of measure

• प्रमाणेन (pramāṇena): by/with the measure, according to the standard

• निष्पन्नेन (niṣpannena): established, properly formed, duly produced

• तथा (tathā): likewise, in the same way

• अष्टकम् (aṣṭakam): a set of eight, octad (of units/divisions)

• एतत् (etat): this

• स्वाभाविकम् (svābhāvikam): natural, intrinsic, standard by nature

• तेषाम् (teṣām): of them, for those (artisans/practitioners)

• प्रमाणम् (pramāṇam): measurement, canonical proportion

• अधिकुर्वताम् (adhikurvatām): of those who increase/augment (the measure/proportion)

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Lord Matsya
• Vaivasvata Manu

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Pratima Lakshana
• Iconography
• Temple architecture
• Measurements

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it focuses on Vastu/Śilpa standards—how canonical measurements (aṅgula-based) are set when proportions are enlarged.

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

It supports dharmic patronage: kings and householders commissioning temples or images should follow standardized measurements so worship-objects are made according to śāstric proportion rather than personal whim.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It indicates a technical rule of proportion: a base measure of nine aṅgulas and an associated “octad” division are treated as the natural standard when scaling up iconographic or architectural dimensions.