Shloka 3

Matsya Purana — Rasakalyāṇinī Vrata: Magha-based Goddess Worship

Devanagari script

स्नापयेन्मधुना देवीं तथैवेक्षुरसेन च गन्धोदकेन तु पुनर् लेपयेत्कुङ्कुमेन तु दक्षिणाङ्गानि सम्पूज्य ततो वामानि पूजयेत् //

Transliteration

snāpayenmadhunā devīṃ tathaivekṣurasena ca gandhodakena tu punar lepayetkuṅkumena tu dakṣiṇāṅgāni sampūjya tato vāmāni pūjayet //

Translation

One should bathe the Goddess with honey, and likewise with sugarcane juice. Then again, with scented water, one should anoint her with saffron (kuṅkuma). Having fully worshipped the right-side limbs first, one should thereafter worship the left-side limbs.

Word by Word

• snāpayet: should bathe (ritually)

• madhunā: with honey

• devīm: the Goddess

• tathā eva: likewise/also

• ikṣu-rasena: with sugarcane juice

• ca: and

• gandha-udakena: with perfumed/scented water

• tu: indeed/then

• punaḥ: again/thereafter

• lepayet: should smear/anoint

• kuṅkumena: with saffron/vermilion (kumkuma)

• dakṣiṇa-aṅgāni: the right-side limbs/parts

• sampūjya: having worshipped completely

• tataḥ: then

• vāmāni: the left-side (limbs/parts)

• pūjayet: should worship.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Devi (the Goddess)

Tags

• Devi Puja
• Abhisheka
• Upachara
• Iconography
• Ritual Procedure

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya; it prescribes a detailed ritual sequence for worship—bathing and anointing the Goddess and the order of honouring her limbs.

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

It frames a householder/royal duty of proper deity-service (devatā-sevā): performing abhiṣeka with auspicious substances and maintaining correct ritual order, reflecting disciplined dharma in daily or festival worship.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it specifies abhiṣeka materials (honey, sugarcane juice, scented water) and a precise worship sequence—right side first, then left—useful for icon-worship manuals followed in temples.