Shloka 62

Matsya Purana — Navagraha Sacrifice for Planetary Pacification and Prosperity

Devanagari script

आयसं राहवे दद्यात् केतुभ्यश्छागमुत्तमम् सुवर्णेन समा कार्या यजमानेन दक्षिणा //

Transliteration

āyasaṃ rāhave dadyāt ketubhyaśchāgamuttamam suvarṇena samā kāryā yajamānena dakṣiṇā //

Translation

One should offer an iron gift to Rāhu, and an excellent goat to Ketu. The dakṣiṇā (sacrificial fee) given by the yajamāna (patron of the rite) should be made equal in value to gold.

Word by Word

• āyasam: iron (made of iron)

• rāhave: to Rāhu (dative)

• dadyāt: should give

• ketubhyaḥ: to Ketu (dative, plural form used respectfully/collectively)

• chāgam: a goat

• uttamam: excellent, best

• suvarṇena: with gold / to gold (as the standard)

• samā: equal

• kāryā: should be made

• yajamānena: by the sacrificer/patron

• dakṣiṇā: priestly fee, honorarium

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, within the Matsya Purana’s ritual-dharma discourse)

Entities Mentioned

• Rāhu
• Ketu
• Yajamāna
• Dakṣiṇā

Tags

• Dāna
• Graha-Śānti
• Ritual
• Dakṣiṇā
• Dharma

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya; it focuses on dāna (donations) used for graha-śānti—pacifying astrological forces through prescribed gifts.

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

It frames a householder or patron’s duty to perform rites correctly: giving appropriate offerings (iron for Rāhu, a goat for Ketu) and paying a proper dakṣiṇā, reflecting ethical responsibility and ritual completeness.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual: it prescribes specific dānas for Rāhu and Ketu and emphasizes that the yajamāna should ensure a gold-equivalent dakṣiṇā, underscoring proper remuneration as part of valid rite performance.