Shloka 45

Matsya Purana — Agastya’s Origin

Devanagari script

स्थापयेदव्रणं कुम्भं माल्यवस्त्रविभूषितम् पञ्चरत्नसमायुक्तं घृतपात्रसमन्वितम् नानाभक्ष्यफलैर्युक्तं ताम्रपात्रसमन्वितम् //

Transliteration

sthāpayedavraṇaṃ kumbhaṃ mālyavastravibhūṣitam pañcaratnasamāyuktaṃ ghṛtapātrasamanvitam nānābhakṣyaphalairyuktaṃ tāmrapātrasamanvitam //

Translation

One should set up an unblemished water-pot (kumbha), adorned with garlands and cloth, furnished with the five precious gems, accompanied by a vessel of ghee, supplied with various foods and fruits, and provided with a copper vessel as well.

Word by Word

• स्थापयेत् (sthāpayet): one should स्थापित/establish

• अव्रणम् (avraṇam): unblemished, without defect

• कुम्भम् (kumbham): pot, ritual water-jar

• माल्य (mālya): garlands

• वस्त्र (vastra): cloth/garment

• विभूषितम् (vibhūṣitam): adorned/decorated

• पञ्चरत्न (pañca-ratna): five gems (a standard set of precious stones)

• समायुक्तम् (samāyuktam): endowed with, equipped with

• घृत (ghṛta): clarified butter (ghee)

• पात्र (pātra): vessel/container

• समन्वितम् (samanvitam): accompanied by/with

• नाना (nānā): various

• भक्ष्य (bhakṣya): edible foods, eatables

• फल (phala): fruits

• युक्तम् (yuktam): provided with

• ताम्र (tāmra): copper

• ताम्रपात्र (tāmra-pātra): copper vessel

Speaker

• Likely Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu on ritual procedure (contextual attribution typical to Matsya Purana dialogues)

Entities Mentioned

• Kumbha
• Pañcaratna
• Ghṛta
• Tāmra-pātra

Tags

• Dāna-vidhi
• Kumbha-sthāpana
• Gṛhya-ritual
• Auspicious offerings
• Puranic ritual procedure

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya directly; it focuses on auspicious ritual setup—purity (an unblemished kumbha) and complete offerings—reflecting the Purāṇic emphasis on maintaining cosmic order (ṛta/dharma) through correct rites.

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

It outlines a householder-style standard for conducting a proper religious observance: preparing pure ritual implements, arranging valuable and nourishing offerings (gems, ghee, foods, fruits), and using appropriate materials (copper), which aligns with the dharmic duty to perform yajña/dāna carefully.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it describes kumbha-sthāpana essentials: a flawless kumbha, decoration (garlands/cloth), pañcaratna placement, ghee vessel, food/fruits, and a copper vessel—items that function as markers of auspiciousness, completeness, and purity in the rite.