Shloka 54

Matsya Purana — Navagraha Sacrifice for Planetary Pacification and Prosperity

Devanagari script

आदित्यश्चन्द्रमा भौमो बुधो जीवः सितो ऽर्कजः ग्रहास्त्वामभिषिञ्चन्तु राहुः केतुश्च तर्पिताः //

Transliteration

ādityaścandramā bhaumo budho jīvaḥ sito 'rkajaḥ grahāstvāmabhiṣiñcantu rāhuḥ ketuśca tarpitāḥ //

Translation

May the Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, and Saturn—the planetary powers—consecrate you; and may Rāhu and Ketu also bestow their favor, being duly satisfied through offerings.

Word by Word

• ādityaḥ: the Sun

• candramā: the Moon

• bhaumaḥ: Mars

• budhaḥ: Mercury

• jīvaḥ: Jupiter (Bṛhaspati)

• sitaḥ: Venus (Śukra)

• arkajaḥ: Saturn (Śani, ‘son of the Sun’)

• grahāḥ: the planets/seizers (astral powers)

• tvām: you

• abhiṣiñcantu: may they anoint/consecrate

• rāhuḥ: Rāhu (lunar node, eclipse-causer)

• ketuḥ: Ketu (lunar node)

• ca: and

• tarpitāḥ: satisfied/propitiated (by libations/offerings).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (instructing Vaivasvata Manu in a ritual/benediction context)

Entities Mentioned

• Aditya (Sun)
• Chandra (Moon)
• Bhauma (Mars)
• Budha (Mercury)
• Jiva/Brihaspati (Jupiter)
• Sita/Shukra (Venus)
• Arkaja/Shani (Saturn)
• Rahu
• Ketu

Tags

• Graha-Shanti
• Abhisheka
• Ritual
• Mantra
• Auspiciousness

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it functions as a ritual benediction invoking the grahas (including Rāhu and Ketu) to confer auspiciousness and remove obstacles during consecration.

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

It reflects the royal/householder duty to perform saṃskāras and public rites correctly—seeking harmony with cosmic forces (grahas) through propitiation, especially during consecrations, installations, and major life or state ceremonies.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it is an abhiṣeka-style invocation: the Navagrahas plus Rāhu–Ketu are asked to ‘anoint’ the beneficiary, implying graha-śānti and protective auspiciousness commonly integrated into temple/pratiṣṭhā and other consecration procedures.