Shloka 49
The Procedure for the Consecration of a Pond
आपोहिष्ठेति मंत्रेण क्षिप्त्वागत्य च मंडपं । पूजयित्वा सदस्यान्वै बलिं दद्यात्समंततः
āpohiṣṭheti maṃtreṇa kṣiptvāgatya ca maṃḍapaṃ | pūjayitvā sadasyānvai baliṃ dadyātsamaṃtataḥ
Nachdem er (Wasser) mit dem Mantra, das mit „āpohiṣṭhā…“ beginnt, versprengt hat und dann in den Maṇḍapa tritt, soll er die Versammelten verehren und ringsum das rituelle Bali darbringen.
Not explicitly stated in the provided verse (procedural injunction within the narrative).
Concept: Purification by Vedic mantra (‘āpohiṣṭhā…’) precedes honoring the assembly and offering bali—ritual completeness includes both inner śuddhi and outer protection/appeasement of directions.
Application: Begin important work with a brief purification (clean water, clear intention); honor collaborators; ‘offer bali’ as setting boundaries—allocate resources to stabilize the environment around your goal.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: temple
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A priest sprinkles sanctified water while chanting ‘āpohiṣṭhā…’, droplets catching the light like tiny pearls. The group then enters a decorated pavilion where elders and participants are honored with flowers and sandal paste, and small bali offerings are placed in the four directions to seal the rite with protective harmony.","primary_figures":["officiating priest (hotṛ/adhvaryu)","assembled participants (sadasya)","yajamāna"],"setting":"Lamp-lit maṇḍapa with rangoli-like yantra patterns, four directional offering spots, and a central altar.","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["lamp-gold","sandalwood tan","vermillion red","indigo shadow","jasmine white"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: priest sprinkling water with ‘āpohiṣṭhā’ mantra, gold leaf highlighting water droplets; richly ornamented pavilion, participants seated in orderly rows, bali offerings at four corners with ornate lamps; saturated reds/greens, gem-like detailing on vessels.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate pavilion scene with delicate brushwork, soft lamp glow, refined faces; priest mid-gesture sprinkling water, subtle depiction of bali at corners; cool background tones with warm highlights, lyrical calm.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, stylized lamp flames, priest with pronounced eyes chanting, water-sprinkle arcs; bali offerings emphasized at four directions, red-yellow-green palette, decorative borders with lotus and conch.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: pavilion framed by floral borders and lotus motifs; central sprinkling action with gold specks for droplets; directional bali plates arranged symmetrically; peacocks perched on pavilion beams, deep blues and gold accents."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["mantra chanting","temple bells","conch shell (brief)","crackling oil lamps","soft footfalls on pavilion floor"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: āpohiṣṭheti → āpo hiṣṭha iti (mantra-quotation); kṣiptvāgatya → kṣiptvā + āgatya; sadasyānvai → sadasyān + vai; dadyātsamaṃtataḥ → dadyāt + samantataḥ.
FAQs
It denotes the well-known Vedic water-invocation beginning “āpohiṣṭhā…”, used for purification and auspicious sprinkling (prokṣaṇa) in ritual contexts.
The verse frames proper ritual etiquette: honouring the officiants/attendees maintains sanctity and harmony in the rite, after which protective/propitiatory bali offerings are made around the space.
Ritual action is paired with respect and order: purification first, then honouring those present, and finally making offerings comprehensively—emphasizing discipline, gratitude, and completeness in sacred duties.