Shloka 52

Matsya Purana — Kārtavīrya Arjuna’s Solar Boon and the Genealogy from Kroṣṭu to the Yādava Lines

Devanagari script

संयोज्य मन्त्रमेवाथ पर्णाशाजलमस्पृशत् तदोपस्पर्शनात्तस्य चकार प्रियमापगा //

Transliteration

saṃyojya mantramevātha parṇāśājalamaspṛśat tadopasparśanāttasya cakāra priyamāpagā //

Translation

Then, having duly applied the mantra, he touched the water taken in a leaf-cup; and by that sanctifying contact, the river—the flowing waters—became well-disposed and granted him a favorable response.

Word by Word

• संयोज्य (saṃyojya): having joined/applied, having duly employed

• मन्त्रम् (mantram): the mantra, sacred formula

• एव (eva): indeed/just

• अथ (atha): then

• पर्णाशाजलम् (parṇāśā-jalam): water held in a leaf-cup/leaf-vessel (ritual sprinkling water)

• अस्पृशत् (aspṛśat): he touched

• तत् (tat): that

• उपस्पर्शनात् (upasparśanāt): from the touching/sprinkling contact, from ritual contact

• तस्य (tasya): of him/for him

• चकार (cakāra): made, effected, brought about

• प्रियम् (priyam): what is pleasing, a boon/favor

• आपगा (āpagā): the river, flowing water (personified).

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) describing Manu’s ritual act within the Matsya-Avatara context

Entities Mentioned

• Vaivasvata Manu (implied)
• Apaga (the river/flowing waters, personified)

Tags

• Pralaya
• Ritual
• Mantra
• Purification
• Matsya Avatara Context

FAQs

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

It shows the ritual preconditions—mantra-charged water and sanctifying touch—by which cosmic events are approached in the narrative; the Pralaya episode is framed as unfolding alongside properly performed sacred rites rather than as a random catastrophe.

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

It highlights a core puranic ethic: disciplined mantra-practice and ritual purity. A ruler or householder is expected to perform rites correctly, using consecrated water, so that natural and divine forces become ‘favorable’ (priya) and support dharmic aims.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it points to mantra-siddha water used for purification/sprinkling (prokṣaṇa) and auspicious initiation of actions; the leaf-cup (parṇāśā) detail reflects prescribed ritual implements—an approach echoed in Matsya Purana’s broader procedural rules (use of sanctified water before consecrations).