Shloka 19

Matsya Purana — Maya’s War-Counsel to the Danavas and the Moonlit Revels in Tripura

Devanagari script

रथ्यासु राजमार्गेषु प्रासादेषु गृहेषु च दीपाश्चम्पकपुष्पाभा नाल्पस्नेहप्रदीपिताः //

Transliteration

rathyāsu rājamārgeṣu prāsādeṣu gṛheṣu ca dīpāścampakapuṣpābhā nālpasnehapradīpitāḥ //

Translation

In the lanes and on the royal highways, and likewise in palaces and in homes, lamps—shining like campaka blossoms—should be lit with ample oil (ghee), not with a scant supply.

Word by Word

• रथ्यासु: in the lanes/alleys

• राजमार्गेषु: on the royal roads/highways

• प्रासादेषु: in palaces/mansions

• गृहेषु: in houses

• च: and

• दीपाः: lamps

• चम्पकपुष्पाभाः: having the radiance/appearance of campaka flowers (golden-bright)

• न: not

• अल्पस्नेहप्रदीपिताः: kindled with little oil/ghee (i.e., not poorly fueled)

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) addressing Vaivasvata Manu

Entities Mentioned

• Matsya
• Manu
• campaka (flower)
• royal road (rājamārga)

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Town planning
• Ritual lighting
• Auspiciousness
• Civic order

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it focuses on auspicious civic and household practice—proper illumination of streets and dwellings—as part of orderly living and ritual propriety.

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

It implies a king’s duty to maintain well-lit public roads and a householder’s duty to keep the home properly illuminated—signs of prosperity, safety, and auspicious discipline rather than neglect or miserliness.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The instruction concerns ritual-architectural ambience: lighting lanes, royal roads, palaces, and houses with bright, well-fueled lamps (ideally ghee/oil), creating an auspicious, orderly, and ritually suitable environment.