Shloka 144

Matsya Purana — Navagraha Sacrifice for Planetary Pacification and Prosperity

Devanagari script

होमयेन्मधुसर्पिर्भ्यां बिल्वानि कमलानि च सहस्राणि दशैवोक्तं सर्वदैव स्वयम्भुवा //

Transliteration

homayenmadhusarpirbhyāṃ bilvāni kamalāni ca sahasrāṇi daśaivoktaṃ sarvadaiva svayambhuvā //

Translation

One should perform oblations in the homa with honey and ghee, offering bilva leaves and lotus flowers—ten thousand in number, as was always prescribed by Svayambhū (Brahmā).

Word by Word

• homayet: should offer in the fire/perform homa

• madhu: honey

• sarpirbhyām: with ghee (clarified butter) (instrumental dual)

• bilvāni: bilva leaves/fruits (as offerings)

• kamalāni: lotus flowers

• ca: and

• sahasrāṇi: thousands

• daśa: ten

• eva: indeed/precisely

• uktam: said/prescribed

• sarvadā: always

• eva: indeed

• svayambhuvā: by Svayambhū (the Self-born, i.e., Brahmā) (instrumental singular.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, ritual prescription context)

Entities Mentioned

• Svayambhū (Brahmā)

Tags

• Homa
• Vrata
• Ritual counts
• Bilva
• Kamala

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it preserves a ritual tradition attributed to Svayambhū (Brahmā), emphasizing continuity of prescribed sacrificial procedure rather than cosmic dissolution.

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

It frames dharmic duty as precise performance of homa: using sanctioned substances (honey and ghee) and prescribed offerings (bilva, lotus) in a fixed count, a model of disciplined religious observance for householders and rulers.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it specifies homa materials and an exact oblation count (ten thousand), highlighting standardization of sacrifice; while not architectural, such homas commonly function as consecratory preliminaries for major rites, including temple-related ceremonies.