Shloka 19

Matsya Purana — Eclipse-Time Planetary Bath

Devanagari script

एतानेव ततो मन्त्रान् विलिखेत् करकान्वितान् वस्त्रपट्टे ऽथवा पद्मे पञ्चरत्नसमन्वितान् //

Transliteration

etāneva tato mantrān vilikhet karakānvitān vastrapaṭṭe 'thavā padme pañcaratnasamanvitān //

Translation

Thereafter, one should write down these very mantras—together with the prescribed hand-signs (mudrās)—either upon a strip of cloth or upon a lotus-diagram, and prepare them furnished with the five gems.

Word by Word

• etān eva: these very

• tataḥ: thereafter/then

• mantrān: mantras/sacred formulae

• vilikhet: should write/inscribe

• karaka-anvitān: accompanied by hand-gestures/mudrās (lit. ‘with karakas’)

• vastra-paṭṭe: on a cloth-strip/cloth-band

• athavā: or else

• padme: on a lotus (lotus-diagram/lotus-seat)

• pañca-ratna-samanvitān: endowed with the five gems (pañcaratna).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Mantra
• Mudra (karaka)
• Pañcaratna

Tags

• Matsya Purana Vastu Shastra tips
• Ritual inscription
• Mantra-lekhana
• Pañcaratna
• Yantra/Padma

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya directly; it gives a practical ritual method—how mantras are to be materially prepared (written on cloth or a lotus-diagram) for protective or consecratory use.

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

It supports the king/householder’s dharma of safeguarding prosperity and order through sanctioned rites—properly inscribing and installing mantras (with correct mudrā and materials) as part of protection, consecration, or temple-related observances.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it prescribes mantra-lekhana on a vastra-paṭṭa (cloth strip) or padma (lotus/lotus-yantra) and the use of pañcaratna—standard consecration materials often paired with installations in Vastu and temple-pratiṣṭhā contexts.