Matsya Purana — Iconographic Standards for the Navagrahas, Shloka 1

Devanagari script

*शिव उवाच पद्मासनः पद्मकरः पद्मगर्भसमद्युतिः सप्ताश्वः सप्तरज्जुश्च द्विभुजः स्यात्सदा रविः //

Transliteration

*śiva uvāca padmāsanaḥ padmakaraḥ padmagarbhasamadyutiḥ saptāśvaḥ saptarajjuśca dvibhujaḥ syātsadā raviḥ //

Translation

Wika ni Śiva: Si Ravi (ang Diyos ng Araw) ay dapat laging ilarawan na nakaupo sa luklukan ng lotus, may hawak na mga lotus sa mga kamay, nagniningning na gaya ng liwanag sa loob ng usbong ng lotus; hinihila ng pitong kabayo at may pitong renda, at ipinakikitang may dalawang bisig.

Word by Word

• śiva uvāca: Śiva said

• padmāsanaḥ: lotus-seated (seated on a lotus)

• padmakaraḥ: lotus-handed / holding a lotus

• padmagarbha-sama-dyutiḥ: having radiance comparable to the interior (core) of a lotus-bud

• saptāśvaḥ: having seven horses

• saptarajjuḥ ca: and having seven reins

• dvibhujaḥ: two-armed

• syāt: should be / is to be

• sadā: always

• raviḥ: Ravi, the Sun (Sūrya).

Speaker

• Shiva

Entities Mentioned

• Shiva
• Ravi
• Surya
• Lotus
• Seven horses

Tags

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

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya; it gives pratima-lakṣaṇa (iconographic) specifications for depicting Ravi/Sūrya in temple art.

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

Indirectly, it guides righteous patronage: kings and householders commissioning temples or images should follow śāstric iconography so worship is performed with a correctly defined form (mūrti-lakṣaṇa).

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It provides a precise checklist for Surya’s image—lotus seat, lotus in hand, lotus-like radiance, seven horses and seven reins, two arms—useful for temple sculpture, consecration (pratiṣṭhā), and ritual visualization.