Matsya Purana — Manvantaras, Shloka 15

Devanagari script

तल्लक्षणं तु देवानां दृश्यते ऽन्वयदर्शनात् बुद्ध्यातिशयसंयुक्तो देवानां काय उच्यते //

Transliteration

tallakṣaṇaṃ tu devānāṃ dṛśyate 'nvayadarśanāt buddhyātiśayasaṃyukto devānāṃ kāya ucyate //

Translation

દેવોનું તે વિશિષ્ટ લક્ષણ તેમના સતત ગુણ-ચિહ્નોના અવલોકનથી સમજાય છે. બુદ્ધિના અસાધારણ ઉત્તમત્વથી યુક્ત જે રૂપ, તે દેવોનું કાય (દૈવી સ્વરૂપ) કહેવાય છે।

Word by Word

• tat-lakṣaṇam: that defining characteristic

• tu: indeed

• devānām: of the gods

• dṛśyate: is seen/understood

• anvaya-darśanāt: from seeing the continuity/connection (consistent correlation of signs and attributes)

• buddhi-atiśaya-saṃyuktaḥ: joined with exceptional/superior intelligence

• devānām: of the gods

• kāyaḥ: body, embodied form

• ucyate: is called/said

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu on iconographic principles)

Entities Mentioned

• Devas

Tags

• Iconography
• Pratima Lakshana
• Temple Art
• Vastu Shastra
• Dharma

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya directly; it defines how divine nature is recognized—through consistent signs and superior intelligence embodied in the deity’s form.

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

It supports dharmic patronage: a king or householder should commission and worship images that follow authentic, consistent iconographic signs, rather than arbitrary or misleading forms.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It provides a core iconography principle used in temple-making and consecration: the deity’s image must display coherent, traditional attributes (lakṣaṇa) and an expression of elevated consciousness (buddhy-atiśaya).