Shloka 126

Matsya Purana — Navagraha Sacrifice for Planetary Pacification and Prosperity

Devanagari script

मेखलोपरि सर्वत्र अश्वत्थदलसंनिभम् वेदी च कोटिहोमे स्याद् वितस्तीनां चतुष्टयम् //

Transliteration

mekhalopari sarvatra aśvatthadalasaṃnibham vedī ca koṭihome syād vitastīnāṃ catuṣṭayam //

Translation

Above the surrounding girdle (mekhalā), everywhere it should resemble the leaf of the sacred aśvattha tree; and in the Koṭihoma rite, the altar (vedī) is to be four vitastis in measure.

Word by Word

• मेखलोपरि: above the mekhalā/girdle (encircling band)

• सर्वत्र: on all sides/everywhere

• अश्वत्थ-दल-संनिभम्: resembling an aśvattha (peepal) leaf

• वेदी: altar/ritual platform

• च: and

• कोटिहोमे: in the Koṭihoma sacrifice (million-offerings rite)

• स्यात्: should be/is prescribed to be

• वितस्तीनाम्: of vitasti measures (span, hand-span)

• चतुष्टयम्: a set of four/fourfold (i.e., four spans).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Aśvattha (Peepal tree)
• Vedi
• Koṭihoma

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Yajna
• Vedi
• Ritual Measurements
• Temple-Ritual Architecture

FAQs

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

This verse does not address Pralaya; it focuses on ritual-architectural prescription—how the vedi should look and its standard measurement in Koṭihoma.

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

It supports the householder/royal duty of performing properly regulated yajñas: the rite is not only devotional but must follow correct vedi form and standardized measures.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It prescribes the vedi’s design motif (aśvattha-leaf-like form above the mekhalā boundary) and fixes its size for Koṭihoma as four vitastis—key guidance for ritual layout and construction.