Shloka 131

Matsya Purana — Navagraha Sacrifice for Planetary Pacification and Prosperity

Devanagari script

रात्रिसूक्तं च रौद्रं च पावमानं सुमङ्गलम् पूर्वतो बह्वृचः शान्तिं पठन्नास्ते ह्युदङ्मुखः //

Transliteration

rātrisūktaṃ ca raudraṃ ca pāvamānaṃ sumaṅgalam pūrvato bahvṛcaḥ śāntiṃ paṭhannāste hyudaṅmukhaḥ //

Translation

Facing north, the Ṛgvedic priest (Bahvṛca) sits to the east and recites for śānti (pacification) the Rātri-sūkta (Night Hymn), the Raudra hymn, and the purificatory Pavamāna hymns, auspicious in their effect.

Word by Word

• रात्रिसूक्तम्: the Rātri hymn (Night Sūkta)

• च: and

• रौद्रम्: the hymn/section to Rudra (Raudra)

• च: and

• पावमानम्: the Pavamāna hymns (purifying, Soma-related)

• सुमङ्गलम्: highly auspicious

• पूर्वतः: on the eastern side / to the east

• बह्वृचः: the Bahvṛca (Ṛgveda-reciter, Ṛgvedic priest)

• शान्तिम्: pacification, protective peace-rite

• पठन्: reciting

• आस्ते: sits/remains seated

• हि: indeed

• उदङ्मुखः: facing north.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu, describing śānti-vidhi)

Entities Mentioned

• Rātri Sūkta
• Rudra (Raudra hymn)
• Pavamāna hymns
• Bahvṛca (Ṛgvedic priest)

Tags

• Shanti
• Ritual
• Vedic Hymns
• Directions
• Purification

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe pralaya directly; it prescribes protective śānti-recitation—ritual measures meant to stabilize order and avert harm, which is thematically the opposite of dissolution.

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

It outlines a practical dharmic duty: ensuring peace and auspiciousness through authorized Vedic recitations performed by a qualified priest, with correct orientation—relevant to household rites and royal protection ceremonies alike.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it specifies spatial protocol: the Bahvṛca is positioned to the east and faces north while chanting key hymns (Rātri, Raudra, Pavamāna), reflecting direction-based rule (dik-vidhi) that also aligns with Vāstu-style concern for orientation.