Shloka 121

Matsya Purana — Navagraha Sacrifice for Planetary Pacification and Prosperity

Devanagari script

कोटिहोमे चतुर्हस्तं चतुरस्रं तु सर्वतः योनिवक्त्रद्वयोपेतं तदप्याहुस् त्रिमेखलम् //

Transliteration

koṭihome caturhastaṃ caturasraṃ tu sarvataḥ yonivaktradvayopetaṃ tadapyāhus trimekhalam //

Translation

For the Koṭi-homa, one should make the kuṇḍa (fire-pit/altar) four cubits in measure, square on all sides, furnished with a yoni and with two mouths/openings; this too is called the “trimekhala” (the three-girdled form).

Word by Word

• koṭihome: in the Koṭi-homa (a large/major homa rite)

• catur-hastam: four cubits in measure

• caturasram: square

• tu: indeed

• sarvataḥ: on all sides/throughout

• yoni: yoni-shaped base/channel (ritual/architectural feature of the altar)

• vaktra-dvaya-upetam: provided with two mouths/openings

• tad api: that also

• āhuḥ: (the authorities) call/say

• trimekhalam: trimekhala, ‘three-banded/three-girdled’ (a classified altar/plan type).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Lord Matsya
• Vaivasvata Manu
• Koṭi-homa
• Trimekhala
• Yoni (altar feature)

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Homa Kunda
• Ritual Geometry
• Puranic Temple Architecture Rules
• Matsya Purana Vastu Shastra tips

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it belongs to the Matsya Purana’s Vastuvidya stream, prescribing the geometry and features of a ritual fire-structure (kunda/vedi) for a specific homa.

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

It supports the dharma of correct ritual performance: a king or householder sponsoring major rites like the Koṭi-homa must follow precise, text-authorized measurements and layouts to ensure the rite is valid and efficacious.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It specifies a four-cubit square kunda/altar ‘on all sides’ and classifies it as trimekhala when equipped with a yoni-feature and two mouths/openings—technical markers used in Puranic ritual-architecture and kunda typology.