Shloka 16

Matsya Purana — Emergence of Brahmā from the Golden Lotus and the Lotus-Form Earth

Devanagari script

एतस्मात्कारणात्तज्ज्ञैः पुराणैः परमर्षिभिः याज्ञिकैर्वेददृष्टान्तैर् यज्ञे पद्मविधिः स्मृतः //

Transliteration

etasmātkāraṇāttajjñaiḥ purāṇaiḥ paramarṣibhiḥ yājñikairvedadṛṣṭāntair yajñe padmavidhiḥ smṛtaḥ //

Translation

For this very reason, the learned authorities—supreme seers versed in the Purāṇas and ritual experts who cite Vedic precedents—have prescribed, for a sacrifice, the ‘Padma-vidhi’, the lotus-form method of performance.

Word by Word

etasmāt kāraṇātfor this reason

tajjñaiḥby those who know (the principle)

purāṇaiḥby the Purāṇa-knowing authorities / Purāṇic experts

paramarṣibhiḥby the highest ṛṣis (great seers)

yājñikaiḥby ritual specialists (yajña-experts)

veda-dṛṣṭāntaiḥwith Vedic examples/precedents

yajñein the sacrifice / for the yajña

padma-vidhiḥthe lotus-method (padma-shaped arrangement/procedure)

smṛtaḥis remembered/recognized as prescribed.

Speaker

Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, continuing a ritual-vidhi exposition)

Entities Mentioned

ParamarishisYajnikasVedaPurana

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya directly; it emphasizes how ritual procedures are validated—by Purāṇic seers and by Vedic precedents—showing continuity of sacred authority rather than cosmological dissolution.

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

It supports the dharma of performing yajña correctly: a king or householder should follow established, text-supported procedures (Purāṇa-backed and Veda-illustrated), rather than improvising, to ensure the sacrifice is ritually sound.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The key point is the ‘Padma-vidhi’—a lotus-form method/arrangement within yajña—implying a precise, mandala-like ritual layout whose legitimacy is grounded in Vedic exemplars and Purāṇic transmission.