Matsya Purana — Rite and Layout for Consecrating Ponds, Shloka 2

Devanagari script

विधिं पृच्छामि देवेशे देवतायतनेषु च के तत्र चर्त्विजो नाथ वेदी वा कीदृशी भवेत् //

Transliteration

vidhiṃ pṛcchāmi deveśe devatāyataneṣu ca ke tatra cartvijo nātha vedī vā kīdṛśī bhavet //

Translation

Ich frage nach der vorgeschriebenen Ordnung, o Herr der Götter, hinsichtlich der Tempel der Gottheiten: wer sollen dort die zelebrierenden Priester (ṛtvij) sein, o Gebieter, und welche Art von Opferaltar (vedī) ist anzulegen?

Word by Word

• vidhim: the prescribed rule/ritual procedure

• pṛcchāmi: I ask/inquire

• deveśe: O Lord of the gods

• devatā-ayataneṣu: in the abodes/temples of the deities

• ca: and

• ke: who

• tatra: there/in that context

• ca: and

• ṛtvijaḥ: officiating priests

• nātha: O Lord/Master

• vedī: altar/raised sacrificial platform

• vā: or/and

• kīdṛśī: of what kind/what form

• bhavet: should be/ought to be

Speaker

• Vaivasvata Manu (questioning Lord Matsya/Vishnu)

Entities Mentioned

• Deveśa (Lord of the gods)
• Devatāyatana (deity-temple)
• Ṛtvij (priest/officiant)
• Vedī (altar)

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Temple Ritual
• Priesthood
• Vedī
• Devālaya

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it shifts to practical dharma—ritual procedure for deity-temples, focusing on officiants and altar design.

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

It frames a ruler/householder’s duty to establish and maintain correct worship: ensuring qualified priests are appointed and that temple rites follow the proper vidhi, including a correctly formed vedī.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The verse highlights two core temple-ritual essentials: (1) selecting the proper ṛtvij (authorized officiants) and (2) specifying the vedī’s correct form—key concerns in Matsya Purana’s temple-planning and worship regulations.