Shloka 7

Matsya Purana — Eclipse-Time Planetary Bath

Devanagari script

स्फटिकं चन्दनं श्वेतं तीर्थवारि ससर्षपम् राजदन्तं सकुमुदं तथैवोशीरगुग्गुलम् एतत्सर्वं विनिक्षिप्य कुम्भेष्वावाहयेत्सुरान् //

Transliteration

sphaṭikaṃ candanaṃ śvetaṃ tīrthavāri sasarṣapam rājadantaṃ sakumudaṃ tathaivośīraguggulam etatsarvaṃ vinikṣipya kumbheṣvāvāhayetsurān //

Translation

Placing crystal (sphaṭika), white sandalwood, sacred tīrtha-water together with mustard seeds, rājadanta (royal-toothwood), the kumuda lotus, as well as vetiver and guggulu—having deposited all these into the ritual pots, one should invoke the deities into the kumbhas.

Word by Word

• स्फटिकम् (sphaṭikam): crystal

• चन्दनम् (candanam): sandalwood

• श्वेतम् (śvetam): white (white variety)

• तीर्थवारि (tīrthavāri): water from a sacred ford/pilgrimage place

• ससर्षपम् (sasarṣapam): together with mustard seeds

• राजदन्तम् (rājadantam): toothwood twig used for purification (often identified with a sacred ‘royal’ dental twig)

• सकुमुदम् (sakumudam): along with kumuda/lotus

• तथा एव (tathā eva): likewise/also

• उशीर (uśīra): vetiver (fragrant root)

• गुग्गुलम् (guggulam): guggulu resin (incense)

• एतत् सर्वम् (etat sarvam): all of this

• विनिक्षिप्य (vinikṣipya): having placed/deposited

• कुम्भेषु (kumbheṣu): in the pots/kalashas

• आवाहयेत् (āvāhayet): should invoke (ritually invite/presence)

• सुरान् (surān): the gods/deities.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Deities (Suras)
• Kumbha (Kalasha)
• Tirtha (sacred waters)

Tags

• Ritual
• Kalasha
• Devatavahana
• Purification
• Temple rites

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it prescribes ritual substances and a method for invoking deities into consecrated pots (kumbhas) during worship and installation rites.

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

It reflects dharmic responsibility to perform rites correctly—using purified, auspicious substances and proper procedure—whether in royal ceremonies, household worship, or public temple patronage.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it describes kalasha preparation and devatā-āvāhana (invocation into pots), a core step in temple consecration and major pūjās that supports Vastu-aligned sanctification of the space.