Shloka 48

Matsya Purana — Navagraha Sacrifice for Planetary Pacification and Prosperity

Devanagari script

एषो उषा अपूर्व्या इत्य् अश्विनोर्मन्त्र उच्यते पूर्णाहुतिस्तु मूर्धानं दिव इत्यभिपातयेत् //

Transliteration

eṣo uṣā apūrvyā ity aśvinormantra ucyate pūrṇāhutistu mūrdhānaṃ diva ityabhipātayet //

Translation

“This is the wondrous Dawn”—this is declared to be the mantra of the Aśvins. But for the complete (final) oblation, one should cast it into the fire with the formula, “(O Agni,) the head of heaven.”

Word by Word

• eṣaḥ: this

• uṣā: dawn (Uṣas)

• apūrvā: unprecedented, wondrous

• iti: thus

• aśvinoḥ: of the two Aśvins

• mantraḥ: mantra, sacred formula

• ucyate: is said/declared

• pūrṇa-āhutiḥ: complete/full (final) oblation

• tu: but/indeed

• mūrdhānam: head, summit, crown

• divaḥ (diva): of heaven/sky

• iti: thus

• abhipātayet: should throw/cast (as an offering into the fire)

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, within a ritual-teaching context)

Entities Mentioned

• Aśvins
• Uṣas (Dawn)

Tags

• Ritual
• Homa
• Mantra
• Āhuti
• Vedic Invocation

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it preserves a ritual detail—specific mantras used for invoking the Aśvins and for offering the final oblation (pūrṇāhuti) in a homa.

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

It supports the dharma of correct ritual performance: a householder (and a king who sponsors sacrifices) should use the proper mantras and procedures, especially at the concluding offering, to ensure the rite is complete and efficacious.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritual significance: it distinguishes an Aśvin-invocation mantra from the specific formula to be uttered during the pūrṇāhuti (final oblation), indicating precise mantra-application (mantra-viniyoga) in fire offerings.