Shloka 89

Matsya Purana — Navagraha Sacrifice for Planetary Pacification and Prosperity

Devanagari script

शोभनं कारयेत्कुण्डं यथावल्लक्षणान्वितम् चतुरस्रं समन्तात्तु योनिवक्त्रं समेखलम् //

Transliteration

śobhanaṃ kārayetkuṇḍaṃ yathāvallakṣaṇānvitam caturasraṃ samantāttu yonivaktraṃ samekhalam //

Translation

One should have a beautiful sacrificial fire-pit (kuṇḍa) constructed, furnished with the proper marks. It should be square on all sides, with a well-formed yoni (spout/channel) and mouth, and provided with an even surrounding rim (mekhalā).

Word by Word

• śobhanam: beautiful, auspicious, well-made

• kārayet: should cause to be made/constructed

• kuṇḍam: (homa) fire-pit, sacrificial basin

• yathāvat: according to rule, properly

• lakṣaṇa-anvitam: endowed with prescribed characteristics

• caturasram: square

• samantāt: on all sides, all around

• tu: indeed

• yoni: yoni-shaped outlet/spout/channel of the kuṇḍa (ritual discharge/flow point)

• vaktram: mouth/opening/front (of the spout/structure)

• sa-mekhalam: having a mekhalā, i.e., a rim/band/cincture around it, evenly formed

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Matsya
• Vaivasvata Manu
• Kuṇḍa
• Mekhalā
• Yoni

Tags

• Vastuvidya
• Ritual Design
• Homa
• Kunda
• Puranic Temple Architecture

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it belongs to the Matsya Purana’s Vastuvidyā/ritual-architecture instructions, specifying correct construction features for a homa kuṇḍa.

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

It guides the king/householder to perform Vedic-Puranic rites properly: commissioning a kuṇḍa with correct proportions and features is part of disciplined yajña/homa practice and ritual responsibility.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It prescribes a square kuṇḍa with a defined yoni-vaktra (ritual spout/mouth) and an even mekhalā (encircling rim), emphasizing standardized sacred geometry and functional ritual design.