Shloka 93

Matsya Purana — Navagraha Sacrifice for Planetary Pacification and Prosperity

Devanagari script

द्विहस्तविस्तृतं तद्वच् चतुर्हस्तायतं पुनः लक्षहोमे भवेत्कुण्डं योनिवक्त्रं त्रिमेखलम् //

Transliteration

dvihastavistṛtaṃ tadvac caturhastāyataṃ punaḥ lakṣahome bhavetkuṇḍaṃ yonivaktraṃ trimekhalam //

Translation

For a lakṣa-homa, the fire-pit (kuṇḍa) should be two hastas in breadth and four hastas in length; it should be fashioned with a yoni-shaped mouth (yoni-vaktra) and provided with three encircling bands (tri-mekhalā).

Word by Word

• dvi-hasta: two cubits (two hastas)

• vistṛtam: broadened, in width

• tad-vat: similarly, in the same manner

• catur-hasta: four cubits

• āyatam: extended, in length

• punaḥ: again/further

• lakṣa-home: in a homa of one lakh (100,000) oblations

• bhavet: should be/ought to be

• kuṇḍam: fire-pit, ritual altar-pit

• yoni-vaktram: having a yoni-shaped mouth/opening (spout-like front)

• tri-mekhalam: having three mekhālās, three surrounding girdles/bands/steps

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Lord Matsya
• Vaivasvata Manu
• Agni (implied)
• Homa
• Kuṇḍa

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Yajna
• Homa Kunda
• Ritual Dimensions
• Puranic Temple Architecture Rules

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss pralaya; it gives technical rules for constructing a ritual fire-pit used in a large-scale homa (lakṣa-home).

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

It supports the dharmic duty of performing properly regulated sacrifices: a king or householder undertaking a major homa must follow prescribed measurements and forms to ensure the rite is valid and efficacious.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It specifies the kuṇḍa’s exact size (2 hastas wide, 4 hastas long) for a 100,000-oblation homa and mandates a yoni-shaped opening and three mekhālās—features central to correct ritual-architecture (yajña-vāstu).