Shloka 27

Matsya Purana — Navagraha Sacrifice for Planetary Pacification and Prosperity

Devanagari script

अर्कः पलाशखदिराव् अपामार्गो ऽथ पिप्पलः औदुम्बरः शमी दूर्वा कुशाश्च समिधः क्रमात् //

Transliteration

arkaḥ palāśakhadirāv apāmārgo 'tha pippalaḥ audumbaraḥ śamī dūrvā kuśāśca samidhaḥ kramāt //

Translation

In proper sequence, the sacred fuel-sticks (samidhā) for the fire-rite are: arka, palāśa and khadira; then apāmārga and pippala; also udumbara, śamī, dūrvā, and kuśa—these are the samidhās in order.

Word by Word

• अर्कः (arkaḥ): arka plant (Calotropis)

• पलाश (palāśa): flame-of-the-forest (Butea)

• खदिरौ (khadirau): khadira/acacia wood

• अपामार्गः (apāmārgaḥ): apāmārga (Achyranthes)

• अथ (atha): then/next

• पिप्पलः (pippalaḥ): sacred fig (Ficus religiosa)

• औदुम्बरः (audumbaraḥ): udumbara/cluster fig (Ficus racemosa)

• शमी (śamī): śamī tree (Prosopis cineraria)

• दूर्वा (dūrvā): dūrvā grass (Bermuda grass)

• कुशाः (kuśāḥ): kuśa grass (Desmostachya)

• च (ca): and

• समिधः (samidhaḥ): fuel-sticks/oblational kindling

• क्रमात् (kramāt): in order/sequence

Speaker

• Likely Lord Matsya (in instruction) to Vaivasvata Manu (ritual guidance context)

Entities Mentioned

• Arka
• Palāśa
• Khadira
• Apāmārga
• Pippala
• Udumbara
• Śamī
• Dūrvā
• Kuśa

Tags

• Homa
• Samidhā
• Vedic ritual
• Dharma
• Sacred plants

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it gives practical ritual instruction—specifically, the ordered list of acceptable samidhā materials for fire-offerings.

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

It supports the householder’s (and ruler’s) dharma by prescribing correct materials for homa/yajña, emphasizing orderly, rule-based worship that sustains social and cosmic harmony.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it specifies the approved plants/woods and their sequence for kindling the sacred fire—key for correct performance of yajñas and domestic/agnihotra-style offerings.