Matsya Purana — The Strategy to Defeat Tāraka: Pārvatī’s Birth, Shloka 186

Devanagari script

लक्षणं दैविको ह्यङ्कः शरीरावयवाश्रयः सर्वायुर्धनसौभाग्यपरिमाणप्रकाशकः //

Transliteration

lakṣaṇaṃ daiviko hyaṅkaḥ śarīrāvayavāśrayaḥ sarvāyurdhanasaubhāgyaparimāṇaprakāśakaḥ //

Translation

لَکشَṇ (لکشَن) نامی مبارک نشان حقیقتاً ایک الٰہی علامت ہے جو جسم کے اعضا پر قائم ہوتی ہے؛ یہ پوری عمر، دولت، سعادت اور درست پیمانہ (تناسب) ظاہر کرتی ہے۔

Word by Word

• lakṣaṇam: auspicious mark/characteristic sign

• daivikaḥ: divine, auspicious in origin

• hi: indeed

• aṅkaḥ: mark, sign, emblem/indication

• śarīra-avayava-āśrayaḥ: resting upon the body’s limbs/parts

• sarva-āyuḥ: complete lifespan

• dhana: wealth

• saubhāgya: good fortune, auspicious prosperity

• parimāṇa: measure, proportion, correct dimension

• prakāśakaḥ: that which illuminates/reveals/indicates

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Lakshana
• Daivika Anka
• Sharira (body)

Tags

• Iconography
• Pratima Lakshana
• Auspicious Marks
• Measurements
• Vastu Shastra

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya directly; it focuses on daivika bodily signs used to judge auspiciousness, longevity, and proportion—topics aligned with iconography and applied sacred measurement.

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

It supports dharmic discernment: a king or householder may use traditional lakṣaṇa-knowledge to evaluate auspiciousness and fitness (e.g., in selecting priests, envoys, or assessing omens), emphasizing proportion and fortune as indicators of well-being.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The key term parimāṇa (proportion/measure) links to Vastu and iconometry: correct bodily proportions and auspicious marks guide the making/validation of sacred images (pratimā) and ritual standards in Puranic temple art.