Shloka 159

Matsya Purana — Navagraha Sacrifice for Planetary Pacification and Prosperity

Devanagari script

अशेषयज्ञफलदं निःशेषाघविनाशनम् कोटिहोमं विदुः प्राज्ञा भुक्तिमुक्तिफलप्रदम् //

Transliteration

aśeṣayajñaphaladaṃ niḥśeṣāghavināśanam koṭihomaṃ viduḥ prājñā bhuktimuktiphalapradam //

Translation

The wise know the Koṭihoma to bestow the fruits of all sacrifices, to destroy every sin without remainder, and to grant both worldly enjoyment (bhukti) and the final fruit of liberation (mukti).

Word by Word

• aśeṣa: without remainder, complete

• yajña-phala-dam: giving the fruits of sacrifices

• niḥśeṣa: entirely, leaving nothing

• agha-vināśanam: destroyer of sin/evil deeds

• koṭi-homam: the Koṭihoma (a very large-scale fire-offering, ‘crore’ homas symbolically/ritually)

• viduḥ: (they) know/recognize

• prājñāḥ: the wise, the learned

• bhukti: worldly enjoyment/prosperity

• mukti: liberation

• phala-pradam: bestowing the fruit/result

Speaker

• Sūta (narrating the Matsya Purana’s teaching tradition; the verse states what ‘the wise’ hold)

Entities Mentioned

• Koṭihoma
• Yajña
• Agni (implied by homa)

Tags

• Yajna
• Homa
• Prayashchitta
• Punya
• Moksha

FAQs

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

It does not discuss Pralaya directly; it focuses on ritual efficacy—Koṭihoma is praised as a complete purifier that eradicates sin and yields both worldly and liberating results.

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

It frames a major fire-offering as a dharmic means for householders (and rulers supporting public rites) to gain the merit of many sacrifices, perform expiation, and pursue prosperity (bhukti) alongside the higher aim of liberation (mukti).

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it highlights Koṭihoma—an exceptionally meritorious homa—presented as equivalent to the fruits of all yajñas and as a powerful prayāścitta (atonement) leading to both material welfare and mokṣa.