Matsya Purana — Rite and Layout for Consecrating Ponds, Shloka 19

Devanagari script

शुक्लमाल्याम्बरधरः शुक्लगन्धानुलेपनः सर्वौषध्युदकैस्तत्र स्नापितो वेदपारगैः //

Transliteration

śuklamālyāmbaradharaḥ śuklagandhānulepanaḥ sarvauṣadhyudakaistatra snāpito vedapāragaiḥ //

Translation

শ্বেত মালা ও শ্বেত বস্ত্র পরিধান করে, শ্বেত সুগন্ধি অনুলেপনে অনুলিপ্ত হয়ে, সেখানে বেদপারগ ব্যক্তিদের দ্বারা সর্বৌষধিযুক্ত জলে তাকে স্নান করানো হল।

Word by Word

• śukla: white/pure/auspicious

• mālya: garland

• ambara: garment/cloth

• dharaḥ: wearing/bearing

• śukla-gandha: white/pure fragrance (auspicious scent)

• anulepanaḥ: anointing/unction (smearing of perfume/unguents)

• sarva: all

• auṣadhi: medicinal herbs

• udakaiḥ: with waters

• tatra: there/in that place/at that time

• snāpitaḥ: was bathed/caused to bathe (ritually)

• veda-pāragaiḥ: by those who have 'gone to the far shore of the Veda' (Veda-knowers/ritual experts)

Speaker

• Suta (narration within the Matsya Purana’s instructional flow; ritual specialists implied)

Entities Mentioned

• Veda-knowers (vedapāragāḥ)
• Medicinal herbs (auṣadhi)
• Ritual bath (snāna)

Tags

• Ritual Bath
• Purification
• Iconography
• Auspiciousness
• Temple Ritual

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it focuses on ritual purity and auspicious preparation—white attire, fragrant anointing, and a medicinal-herb bath administered by Veda-trained priests.

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

It reflects the dharmic duty to undertake rites through qualified Vedic experts and to maintain śauca (purity): using prescribed dress, scents, and consecratory bathing before major vows, worship, donations, or public ceremonies.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it outlines a consecratory snāna/abhisheka protocol—herb-infused water, white garments/garlands, and anulepana—commonly aligned with temple worship, installation (pratiṣṭhā), or sacred initiatory preparation.