Matsya Purana — Manvantaras, Shloka 7

Devanagari script

परिणाहोच्छ्रये तुल्या जायन्ते ह कृते युगे षण्णवत्यङ्गुलोत्सेधो ह्य् अष्टानां देवयोनिनाम् //

Transliteration

pariṇāhocchraye tulyā jāyante ha kṛte yuge ṣaṇṇavatyaṅgulotsedho hy aṣṭānāṃ devayoninām //

Translation

クリタ・ユガにおいては、周囲（胴回り）と身長とが等しく釣り合うと説かれる。また八種の神性の類（deva-yoni）の規定身長は九十六アングラである。

Word by Word

• परिणाह (pariṇāha): circumference, girth

• उच्च्रय (ucchraya): height, elevation

• तुल्याः (tulyāḥ): equal, proportionate

• जायन्ते (jāyante): are produced/are considered to arise (as standards)

• ह (ha): indeed, traditionally

• कृते युगे (kṛte yuge): in the Kṛta Yuga

• षण्णवतिः (ṣaṇṇavatiḥ): ninety-six

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

• उत्सेधः (utsedhaḥ): vertical measure, total height

• हि (hi): certainly

• अष्टानाम् (aṣṭānām): of eight

• देवयोनिनाम् (devayoninām): of divine classes/types (iconographic categories).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Lord Matsya
• Vaivasvata Manu
• Deva-yoni
• Krita Yuga

Tags

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

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it preserves iconographic standards—how divine forms should be proportioned—framed as an authoritative rule associated with the Kṛta Yuga.

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

By supporting correct temple building and image-making, a king or householder upholds dharma through patronage of properly measured consecrated images, ensuring ritual efficacy and social-religious order.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It gives a key pratima-lakṣaṇa rule: divine images (eight deva-yoni categories) should follow a fixed iconometric height of 96 aṅgulas with proportional equality of girth and height—guiding sculptors, architects, and consecration rites.