Matsya Purana — Rite of Donating the ‘Sugar Mountain’, Shloka 5

Devanagari script

मन्दारः पारिजातश्च तृतीयः कल्पपादपः एतद्वृक्षत्रयं मूर्ध्नि सर्वेष्वपि नियोजयेत् //

Transliteration

mandāraḥ pārijātaśca tṛtīyaḥ kalpapādapaḥ etadvṛkṣatrayaṃ mūrdhni sarveṣvapi niyojayet //

Translation

Mandāra, Pārijāta und als dritter der wunscherfüllende Kalpa-pādapa — diese Dreiheit heiliger Bäume soll in jedem Fall auf dem Scheitel (obersten Teil) angebracht werden.

Word by Word

• मन्दारः (mandāraḥ): Mandāra tree (celestial coral-tree)

• पारिजातः (pārijātaḥ): Pārijāta tree (celestial night-flowering jasmine)

• च (ca): and

• तृतीयः (tṛtīyaḥ): the third

• कल्पपादपः (kalpapādapaḥ): the Kalpa tree, wish-fulfilling tree

• एतत् (etat): this

• वृक्षत्रयम् (vṛkṣatrayam): triad of trees

• मूर्ध्नि (mūrdhni): on the head/top/crown (uppermost part)

• सर्वेष्वपि (sarveṣv api): in all (instances), in every case

• नियोजयेत् (niyojayet): one should place/appoint/install.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu (contextual attribution within the Matsya Purana’s didactic dialogue)

Entities Mentioned

• Mandara
• Parijata
• Kalpavriksha (Kalpa-tree)

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Iconography
• Temple Architecture
• Auspicious Symbols
• Ritual Installation

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya; it gives a Vastu/iconographic instruction about placing auspicious celestial tree-symbols on the uppermost part (“mūrdhni”) of a sacred form or structure.

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

It supports dharmic duty through correct ritual patronage: kings and householders who commission temples, icons, or sacred installations are advised to follow prescribed auspicious placements to ensure sanctity and merit.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It specifies a placement rule: Mandāra, Pārijāta, and the Kalpa-tree should be installed/depicted at the “head” (top/crown/upper zone), indicating an auspicious crowning motif for icons or temple superstructures.