Shloka 86

Matsya Purana — Navagraha Sacrifice for Planetary Pacification and Prosperity

Devanagari script

ग्रहताराबलं लब्ध्वा कृत्वा ब्राह्मणवाचनम् गृहस्योत्तरपूर्वेण मण्डपं कारयेद्बुधः //

Transliteration

grahatārābalaṃ labdhvā kṛtvā brāhmaṇavācanam gṛhasyottarapūrveṇa maṇḍapaṃ kārayedbudhaḥ //

Translation

After ascertaining the auspicious strength of the planets and stars, and after having Brahmins recite benedictory texts, the wise person should have a maṇḍapa (ritual pavilion) constructed on the north‑eastern side of the house.

Word by Word

• graha-tārā-balam: the strength/favorability of planets and stars

• labdhvā: having obtained/ascertained

• kṛtvā: having done

• brāhmaṇa-vācanam: the recitation/reading by Brahmins (auspicious mantras/benedictions)

• gṛhasya: of the house

• uttara-pūrveṇa: to the north-east (Iśānya direction)

• maṇḍapam: pavilion, hall, ritual canopy

• kārayet: should cause to be made/should have constructed

• budhaḥ: the wise person

Speaker

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

Entities Mentioned

• Brahmins
• Grahas (planets)
• Tārā (stars)
• Iśānya (north-east direction)

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Mandapa
• Griha Nirmana
• Auspicious Timing
• Ritual Recitation

FAQs

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

This verse does not address Pralaya; it focuses on auspicious preliminaries for construction—astral suitability and Brahminical recitation—within Vastu-oriented guidance.

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

It frames a householder’s (and by extension a patron-king’s) duty to begin construction in harmony with dharma: verify favorable cosmic timing (graha-tārā-bala) and sanctify the act through learned Brahmins’ auspicious recitations.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Architecturally, it prescribes placing the maṇḍapa on the north-east (uttara-pūrva/Iśānya), a highly auspicious Vastu zone; ritually, it requires Brahmin recitation and checking planetary-star strength before building.