Shloka 8

Matsya Purana — Pratiśukra Rite and the Worship of Śukra

Devanagari script

पीतपुष्पाम्बरयुतं कृत्वा स्नात्वाथ सर्षपैः पलाशाश्वत्थयोगेन पञ्चगव्यजलेन च //

Transliteration

pītapuṣpāmbarayutaṃ kṛtvā snātvātha sarṣapaiḥ palāśāśvatthayogena pañcagavyajalena ca //

Translation

Having adorned oneself with yellow flowers and yellow garments, one should then bathe using mustard seeds, together with the sanctifying presence of palāśa and aśvattha, and also with water mixed with pañcagavya.

Word by Word

• पीत (pīta): yellow

• पुष्प (puṣpa): flowers

• अम्बर (ambara): garment/cloth

• युतम् (yutam): endowed with, accompanied by

• कृत्वा (kṛtvā): having done, having made (oneself so)

• स्नात्वा (snātvā): having bathed/after bathing

• अथ (atha): then

• सर्षपैः (sarṣapaiḥ): with mustard seeds

• पलाश (palāśa): palāśa tree (Butea monosperma), sacred leaf/wood

• अश्वत्थ (aśvattha): sacred fig (Ficus religiosa)

• योगेन (yogena): by conjunction/with the addition or use of

• पञ्चगव्य (pañcagavya): the five cow-products used ritually (milk, curd, ghee, urine, dung)

• जलेन (jalena): with water

• च (ca): and

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, ritual-vidhi context)

Entities Mentioned

• Pañcagavya
• Palāśa
• Aśvattha
• Sarṣapa (mustard)

Tags

• Snana
• Shauca
• Panchagavya
• Vrata
• Ritual

FAQs

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

It does not address pralaya directly; it focuses on ritual purification—how a practitioner prepares through sanctifying bath substances before undertaking a religious act.

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

It reflects the householder/kingly duty of maintaining śauca (ritual cleanliness) before vows, worship, or public rites—using culturally sanctioned purifiers like mustard and pañcagavya.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual (not architectural): mustard seeds, palāśa, aśvattha, and pañcagavya are prescribed purifiers; yellow attire/flowers signal auspicious, sattvic preparation for vrata and worship.