Shloka 24

Matsya Purana — Navagraha Sacrifice for Planetary Pacification and Prosperity

Devanagari script

मृदमानीय विप्रेन्द्र सर्वौषधिजलान्विताम् स्नानार्थं विन्यसेत्तत्र यजमानस्य धर्मवित् //

Transliteration

mṛdamānīya viprendra sarvauṣadhijalānvitām snānārthaṃ vinyasettatra yajamānasya dharmavit //

Translation

O best of Brahmins, having brought consecrated earth (purifying clay) together with water infused with all medicinal herbs, the knower of dharma should place it there for the sacrificer’s ritual bath.

Word by Word

• मृदम् (mṛdam): purifying earth/clay

• आनीय (ānīya): having brought

• विप्रेन्द्र (viprendra): O chief among Brahmins

• सर्वौषधि-जल-अन्विताम् (sarvauṣadhi-jalānvitām): accompanied by water infused with all herbs/medicinal plants

• स्नान-अर्थम् (snānārtham): for the purpose of bathing

• विन्यसेत् (vinyaset): should place/arrange

• तत्र (tatra): there, at that spot

• यजमानस्य (yajamānasya): of the sacrificer/patron of the rite

• धर्मवित् (dharmavit): one who knows dharma/ritual propriety

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu (dialogue context of the Matsya Purana’s teachings)

Entities Mentioned

• Vipra (Brahmin)
• Yajamana (sacrificer)

Tags

• Matsya Purana ritual rules
• Snana vidhi
• Purification
• Dharma
• Herbal water

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it focuses on ritual purification—preparing clay and herb-infused water for the sacrificer’s ceremonial bath.

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

It reflects the householder/sacrificer’s duty to perform rites with proper purity: a dharma-knower arranges the required materials so the yajamāna may undertake worship or sacrifice in a ritually fit state.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it prescribes snāna-vidhi materials—purifying earth and sarvauṣadhi (all-herb) water—indicating a formal, rule-based preparation of the bathing spot as part of ceremonial procedure.