Shloka 38

Matsya Purana — Bhīma-Dvādaśī

Devanagari script

आरोप्य कलशं तत्र दिक्पालान्पूजयेत्ततः छिद्रेण जलसम्पूर्णम् अथ कृष्णाजिनस्थितः तस्य धारां च शिरसा धारयेत्सकलां निशाम् //

Transliteration

āropya kalaśaṃ tatra dikpālānpūjayettataḥ chidreṇa jalasampūrṇam atha kṛṣṇājinasthitaḥ tasya dhārāṃ ca śirasā dhārayetsakalāṃ niśām //

Translation

Having installed a kalaśa (ritual water-pot) there, he should then worship the Dikpālas, the guardians of the directions. Next, through a small aperture, the pot should be made full of water; seated upon a black antelope-skin, he should bear that stream upon his head throughout the entire night.

Word by Word

• āropya: having installed/placed

• kalaśam: water-pot, ritual pitcher

• tatra: there (at the rite-site)

• dikpālān: guardians of the directions

• pūjayet: should worship

• tataḥ: then/thereafter

• chidreṇa: through an opening/aperture

• jala-sampūrṇam: filled full with water

• atha: then

• kṛṣṇājina-sthitaḥ: seated/standing on a black antelope-skin

• tasya: of that (pot/stream)

• dhārām: stream/flow

• ca: and

• śirasā: with/on the head

• dhārayet: should bear/maintain/sustain

• sakalām: the whole/entire

• niśām: night

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (instructing Vaivasvata Manu in ritual procedure)

Entities Mentioned

• Dikpālas
• kalaśa
• kṛṣṇājina (black antelope skin)

Tags

• Vrata
• Ritual procedure
• Kalaśa
• Dikpāla-pūjā
• Night vigil

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it prescribes a purificatory ritual discipline—directional worship and a night-long austerity involving a kalaśa’s water-stream—reflecting order (ṛta) rather than cosmic dissolution.

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

It frames disciplined self-restraint and correct ritual performance (pūjā, niyama, night vigil) as part of dharma—practices a householder (and by extension a king) may undertake for purification, merit, and protection through honoring the Dikpālas.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it emphasizes kalaśa-sthāpana and Dikpāla-pūjā (directional deities), implying correct spatial orientation; the kṛṣṇājina seat and sustained water-flow are austerity markers used in vrata practice.