Shloka 4

Matsya Purana — Eclipse-Time Planetary Bath

Devanagari script

पूर्वमेवोपरागस्य समासाद्यौषधादिकम् स्थापयेच् चतुरः कुम्भान् अव्रणान्सागरानिति //

Transliteration

pūrvamevoparāgasya samāsādyauṣadhādikam sthāpayec caturaḥ kumbhān avraṇānsāgarāniti //

Translation

Well before the eclipse, having procured medicinal herbs and the related requisites, one should set up four water-pots (kumbhas), unblemished and filled full like the ocean.

Word by Word

• पूर्वम् (pūrvam): beforehand

• एव (eva): indeed/just

• उपरागस्य (upārāgasya): of the eclipse

• समासाद्य (samāsādya): having obtained/procured

• औषध-आदिकम् (auṣadha-ādikam): medicinal herbs and related items

• स्थापयेत् (sthāpayet): one should place/set up

• चतुरः (caturaḥ): four

• कुम्भान् (kumbhān): pots/ritual water-jars

• अव्रणान् (avraṇān): uninjured/unblemished (free from defects)

• सागरान् (sāgarān): ocean-like (i.e., filled abundantly, brimming)

• इति (iti): thus (concluding particle).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, in the didactic dialogue frame typical of the Matsya Purana)

Entities Mentioned

• Upārāga (eclipse)
• Auṣadha (herbs)
• Kumbha (ritual pot)

Tags

• Eclipse-ritual
• Śānti
• Vrata
• Kumbha
• Purification

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya; it gives a practical upārāga (eclipse) preparation, emphasizing purity and ritual readiness rather than cosmic dissolution.

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

It frames a householder/ritual patron’s duty to prepare properly for significant celestial events: gathering prescribed materials (herbs, etc.) and arranging faultless ritual vessels, reflecting disciplined dharma and public/private śānti observance.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it prescribes installing four defect-free kumbhas (water pots) prepared with herbs—standard auspicious setup for purification and śānti rites during an eclipse.