Shloka 97

Matsya Purana — Navagraha Sacrifice for Planetary Pacification and Prosperity

Devanagari script

त्र्यङ्गुलस्य च विस्तारः सर्वेषां कथ्यते बुधैः दशाङ्गुलोच्छ्रिता भित्तिः स्थण्डिले स्यात्तथोपरि तस्मिन्नावाहयेद्देवान् पूर्ववत्पुष्पतण्डुलैः //

Transliteration

tryaṅgulasya ca vistāraḥ sarveṣāṃ kathyate budhaiḥ daśāṅgulocchritā bhittiḥ sthaṇḍile syāttathopari tasminnāvāhayeddevān pūrvavatpuṣpataṇḍulaiḥ //

Translation

The wise declare that the prescribed breadth for all these ritual features is three aṅgulas (finger-breadths). Upon the prepared altar-ground (sthaṇḍila), one should further raise a surrounding wall (bhitti) to a height of ten aṅgulas. On that altar arrangement, one should invoke the deities as before, using flowers and grains of rice.

Word by Word

• त्र्यङ्गुलस्य (try-aṅgulasya): of three aṅgulas (three finger-breadths)

• च (ca): and

• विस्तारः (vistāraḥ): breadth/width

• सर्वेषाम् (sarveṣām): of all (items/parts under discussion)

• कथ्यते (kathyate): is stated/is prescribed

• बुधैः (budhaiḥ): by the wise/learned

• दशाङ्गुलोच्छ्रिता (daśa-aṅgula-ucchritā): raised to ten aṅgulas in height

• भित्तिः (bhittiḥ): wall/boundary ridge

• स्थण्डिले (sthaṇḍile): on the ritual ground/altar area

• स्यात् (syāt): should be/should be made

• तथा (tathā): thus/likewise

• उपरि (upari): above/upon

• तस्मिन् (tasmin): on that/in that

• आवाहयेत् (āvāhayed): should invoke (invite/presence-call)

• देवान् (devān): the gods/deities

• पूर्ववत् (pūrvavat): as previously described

• पुष्पतण्डुलैः (puṣpa-taṇḍulaiḥ): with flowers and rice-grains (akṣata).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Devas

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Ritual Procedure
• Temple/Altar Measurements
• Pratishtha
• Invocation (Avahana)

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it gives practical Vastu-ritual instructions—standard measurements and the method of invoking deities on a prepared altar ground.

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

It supports dharmic duty through correct ritual performance: a householder (or a king commissioning rites) should follow precise measurements and prescribed materials (flowers and rice) to properly invite the deities and maintain ritual order.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It specifies canonical dimensions (3 aṅgulas breadth; 10 aṅgulas height for the bhitti on the sthaṇḍila) and instructs avāhana—invoking deities using flowers and akṣata (rice grains)—a key step in consecration-style worship.