Shloka 1

Matsya Purana — Navagraha Sacrifice for Planetary Pacification and Prosperity

Devanagari script

*सूत उवाच वैशम्पायनम् आसीनम् अपृच्छच्छौनकः पुरा सर्वकामाप्तये नित्यं कथं शान्तिकपौष्टिकम् //

Transliteration

*sūta uvāca vaiśampāyanam āsīnam apṛcchacchaunakaḥ purā sarvakāmāptaye nityaṃ kathaṃ śāntikapauṣṭikam //

Translation

Sūta said: Long ago, Śaunaka questioned Vaiśampāyana as he sat in the assembly: “For the continual attainment of all desired aims, how is the pacificatory (śāntika) and prosperity-conferring (pauṣṭika) rite to be performed?”

Word by Word

• sūtaḥ: Sūta (the narrator)

• uvāca: said

• vaiśampāyanam: Vaiśampāyana

• āsīnam: seated

• apṛcchat: asked/questioned

• śaunakaḥ: Śaunaka

• purā: formerly/long ago

• sarva-kāma-āptaye: for the attainment of all desires/aims

• nityam: always/continually

• katham: how? in what manner?

• śāntika: pacificatory rite (for averting evil, calming afflictions)

• pauṣṭikam: prosperity/augmentation rite (for increase, well-being).

Speaker

• Sūta (narrator)

Entities Mentioned

• Sūta
• Vaiśampāyana
• Śaunaka

Tags

• Ritual
• Śānti
• Pauṣṭika
• Purāṇic dialogue
• Merit & prosperity

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya; it introduces a ritual-technical inquiry about śāntika (pacification) and pauṣṭika (prosperity) practices aimed at removing obstacles and securing well-being.

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

It frames dharma in practical terms: kings and householders are expected to maintain social and personal stability by employing sanctioned rites for averting misfortune (śānti) and promoting welfare and growth (pauṣṭi), aligned with Purāṇic ethical order.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual: it signals a section on procedures for pacificatory and prosperity rites—typically including mantras, offerings, timing, and remedial observances—rather than temple architecture or iconographic rules in this specific verse.