Shloka 105

Matsya Purana — Navagraha Sacrifice for Planetary Pacification and Prosperity

Devanagari script

अथवा ऋत्विजौ शान्तौ द्वावेव श्रुतिकोविदौ कार्यावयुतहोमे तु न प्रसज्येत विस्तरे //

Transliteration

athavā ṛtvijau śāntau dvāveva śrutikovidau kāryāvayutahome tu na prasajyeta vistare //

Translation

Or else, for the rite, two priests alone—calm in conduct and well-versed in the Veda—should be employed; and in performing the homa appropriate to the required act, one should not become entangled in excessive elaboration.

Word by Word

athavāor else/alternatively

ṛtvijautwo officiating priests

śāntaucomposed, peaceful, self-controlled

dvā evaonly two

śruti-kovidauskilled/learned in the Vedic revelation

kāryathe intended rite/required purpose

ayuta (yuta)properly connected/according to requirement (i.e., suited to the act)

homein the homa/fire-offering

tuindeed/but

na prasajyetashould not get involved/should not be drawn in

vistarein expansion, prolix detail, excessive elaboration

Speaker

Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, ritual-dharma context)

Entities Mentioned

Ṛtvij (Vedic priest)Śruti (Veda)Homa (fire-offering)

FAQs

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

This verse does not address Pralaya; it focuses on practical ritual discipline—selecting qualified priests and avoiding unnecessary ritual expansion.

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

It advises a pragmatic dharmic approach: a householder (or king sponsoring rites) should appoint only a small number of calm, Veda-trained priests and perform the necessary homa without wasteful complication.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it emphasizes efficiency and correctness in homa: employ two competent ṛtviks and keep the procedure aligned to the intended purpose rather than expanding it into excessive, costly detail.