Shloka 50

Matsya Purana — Navagraha Sacrifice for Planetary Pacification and Prosperity

Devanagari script

अव्यङ्गावयवैर्ब्रह्मन् हेमस्रग्दामभूषितैः यजमानस्य कर्तव्यं चतुर्भिः स्नपनं द्विजैः //

Transliteration

avyaṅgāvayavairbrahman hemasragdāmabhūṣitaiḥ yajamānasya kartavyaṃ caturbhiḥ snapanaṃ dvijaiḥ //

Translation

O Brāhmaṇa, the officiating twice-born priests (dvija)—sound in limb, free from bodily defects, and adorned with golden garlands and ornaments—should perform the ritual bathing (snapana) of the sacrificer (yajamāna), with four priests officiating.

Word by Word

• avyaṅga-avayavaiḥ: with unimpaired limbs, free from bodily defects

• brahman: O Brāhmaṇa (address to the sage/priest)

• hema: gold

• srag: garland

• dāma: wreath/neck-ornament/garland-string

• bhūṣitaiḥ: adorned, decorated

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

• kartavyam: is to be done, should be performed

• caturbhiḥ: by four, with four (persons/priests)

• snapanam: ritual bathing/ceremonial ablution

• dvijaiḥ: by the twice-born (Brahmin priests).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu through a Purāṇic ritual discourse)

Entities Mentioned

• Brahman (Brāhmaṇa-priest addressed)
• Yajamāna
• Dvija (twice-born priests)

Tags

• Ritual
• Snapana
• Dharma
• Purification
• Priestly qualifications

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya directly; it focuses on ritual purity—specifying the qualified priests and the proper performance of the yajamāna’s ceremonial bath.

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

It guides the yajamāna (often a householder or ruler sponsoring rites) to employ qualified, physically unimpaired dvija priests and to conduct formal purification through snapana as part of dharmic observance.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual significance is explicit: snapana (ceremonial ablution) should be performed by four dvija priests, who must be properly qualified and ritually presentable (adorned), emphasizing correctness and auspiciousness in procedure.