Shloka 120

Matsya Purana — Navagraha Sacrifice for Planetary Pacification and Prosperity

Devanagari script

पूर्ववद्ग्रहदेवानाम् आवाहनविसर्जने होममन्त्रास्त एवोक्ताः खाने दाने तथैव च कुण्डमण्डपवेदीनां विशेषो ऽयं निबोध मे //

Transliteration

pūrvavadgrahadevānām āvāhanavisarjane homamantrāsta evoktāḥ khāne dāne tathaiva ca kuṇḍamaṇḍapavedīnāṃ viśeṣo 'yaṃ nibodha me //

Translation

As before, for the planetary deities (graha-devatās), the mantras for invocation (āvāhana) and dismissal (visarjana)—and the very same homa mantras—have already been stated; likewise for digging (khāna) and gifting (dāna) as well. Now learn from me this particular specification regarding the fire-pit (kuṇḍa), the pavilion (maṇḍapa), and the altar-platforms (vedīs).

Word by Word

• पूर्ववत्: as previously (in the earlier manner)

• ग्रहदेवानाम्: of the Graha-devas (planetary deities)

• आवाहनविसर्जने: in invocation and dismissal

• होममन्त्राः: oblation/fire-sacrifice mantras

• ते एव: those very (same)

• उक्ताः: have been declared/taught

• खाने: in digging/excavation (ritual digging, preparing the site)

• दाने: in gifting/ritual donation

• तथा एव च: and likewise indeed

• कुण्डमण्डपवेदीनाम्: of the fire-pit, pavilion, and altar platforms

• विशेषः: special rule/distinct specification

• अयम्: this

• निबोध: know/learn/understand

• मे: from me.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu (contextual attribution for this instructional passage in Matsya Purana)

Entities Mentioned

• Graha-devas (planetary deities)

Tags

• Matsya Purana rituals
• Graha Shanti
• Homa mantras
• Vastu Shastra
• Kunda Mandapa Vedi

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it focuses on continuity of ritual mantras and introduces specific architectural/ritual specifications for the kunda, mandapa, and vedi used in rites for the planetary deities.

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

It frames proper performance of Graha-deva rites—using established mantras, correct procedural steps like sanctioned digging and gifting (dāna), and then following precise construction guidelines—reflecting a householder’s or ruler’s duty to uphold dharma through correctly executed public and domestic rituals.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It signals that while the mantras remain the same as previously taught, there are distinct, technical rules for the design/arrangement of the fire-pit (kuṇḍa), pavilion (maṇḍapa), and altar platforms (vedīs)—a key Vastu-linked transition from mantra-procedure to spatial specification.