Shloka 130

Matsya Purana — Navagraha Sacrifice for Planetary Pacification and Prosperity

Devanagari script

अष्टौ तु होमकाः कार्या वेदवेदाङ्गवेदिनः एवं द्वादश विप्राः स्युर् वस्त्रमाल्यानुलेपनैः पूर्ववत्पूजयेद्भक्त्या वस्त्राभरणभूषणैः //

Transliteration

aṣṭau tu homakāḥ kāryā vedavedāṅgavedinaḥ evaṃ dvādaśa viprāḥ syur vastramālyānulepanaiḥ pūrvavatpūjayedbhaktyā vastrābharaṇabhūṣaṇaiḥ //

Translation

Eight learned Brahmins—knowers of the Veda and its auxiliary disciplines (Vedāṅgas)—should be engaged to perform the homa. Thus there should be twelve Brahmins in all, honored with garments, garlands, and unguents; and, as prescribed earlier, one should worship them devotedly with clothes, ornaments, and adornments.

Word by Word

• अष्टौ (aṣṭau): eight

• तु (tu): indeed/and

• होमकाः (homakāḥ): performers of homa/oblation-priests

• कार्या (kāryā): should be appointed/should be made to do

• वेदवेदाङ्गवेदिनः (vedavedāṅgavedinaḥ): knowers of the Veda and Vedāṅgas

• एवं (evaṃ): thus/in this manner

• द्वादश (dvādaśa): twelve

• विप्राः (viprāḥ): Brahmins

• स्युः (syuḥ): should be/are to be

• वस्त्र (vastra): garments

• माल्य (mālya): garlands

• अनुलेपनैः (anulepanaiḥ): with unguents/pastes

• पूर्ववत् (pūrvavat): as before/as previously stated

• पूजयेत् (pūjayed): should worship/honor

• भक्त्या (bhaktyā): with devotion

• वस्त्र (vastra): clothing

• आभरण (ābharaṇa): ornaments/jewelry

• भूषणैः (bhūṣaṇaiḥ): adornments/ornamental decorations

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Veda
• Vedanga
• Vipra (Brahmin)
• Homa

Tags

• Homa
• Brahmana-puja
• Ritual procedure
• Dana
• Matsya Purana rites

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it focuses on correct ritual staffing and honoring of Veda- and Vedāṅga-knowing Brahmins during homa and related worship.

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

It frames dharmic duty as supporting yajña through qualified priests and respectful offerings—showing that a king or householder should ensure ritual competence (Veda/Vedāṅga knowledge) and practice dana-like honor (clothes, garlands, unguents, ornaments) with devotion.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual: it specifies the officiants—eight homa-performers among a total of twelve Brahmins—and prescribes their pūjā with vastra, mālya, anulepana, and ornaments, reinforcing procedural correctness in Matsya Purana worship rites.